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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals facing charges for internet-based abuse against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She explained that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including her attire to her posture, as a result of the fear that every photograph could be misused to fuel hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, no matter what her activities in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, in that age range, are in court for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved equating her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on the family, such as the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually facing these attacks."

Legal Battle History

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that she is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have initiated a legal action in the United States for defamation involving a political commentator who amplified the claim.

The case clarifies that the claim is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his posts as humorous.
• Another defendant stated that his online activity were meant to be "humor" and expressed concern that the legal action could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual explained he shared posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's gender spread in part because the Macrons' relationship has often been a point of interest online.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than her husband, originally knew him when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her account by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that never stops" for the first lady.