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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the court case of ten people facing charges for online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Daily Life

She testified that her mother now is always concerned about her appearance, including her attire to her posture, due to the fear that each snapshot could be distorted to fuel negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to her clothing, her posture, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Allegations

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while others were more visible.

All is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved comparing the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they could receive up to two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on loved ones, including the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to end it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly experiencing these attacks."

Legal Battle History

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the inaccurate allegation that she was male.

They have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The case states that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the charges.

• One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his online statements as ironic.
• A well-known publicist argued that his posts were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual testified he posted information since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The false theory regarding Brigitte Macron's sex circulated to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

She, who is 24 years older than the president, first met Emmanuel Macron when serving as a educator at his school.

Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they married in 2007, after her marriage dissolution.

Auzière wrapped up her statement by stating that the false claims have caused a "chaos that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.