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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying against her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that each snapshot could be misused to support negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, regardless of she's doing in her daily life," she told the court.

Those on Trial and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. Among them, this involved linking her age difference with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière highlighted the impact on loved ones, including the kids hearing malicious statements like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She is unsure how to end it," she testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought public attention, and she is continually subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron is male.

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation involving a media personality who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the person cited is really her sibling.

Defendants' Responses

In court, a few individuals rejected the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to inflict damage" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and expressed concern that the case could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he disseminated information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The false theory regarding the first lady's identity circulated partly because their union has frequently been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, aged two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when serving as a instructor at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière wrapped up her account by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.