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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a attorney, appeared as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, including the clothes she wears to her posture, because of the apprehension that every photograph could be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her actions in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

Ten individuals, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

All is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. For some, this extended to equating her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they face up to two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the false claims have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone does not talk these claims to her."

She pointed out the impact on loved ones, for example the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," she stated. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently facing this abuse."

Legal Battle History

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

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit over false statements involving a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the allegations.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• Another defendant argued that his posts were meant to be "humor" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual testified he disseminated information because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory regarding Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, being significantly older than the president, originally knew the future president when serving as a teacher at his school.

Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "chaos that does not cease" for the first lady.