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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people accused of online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

Auzière stated that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, including her attire to how she stands, because of the concern that every photograph might be misused to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while several more were better known.

All is alleged to have making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's identity. Among them, this involved linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "worsening of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on her relatives, such as the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that she was transgender.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is in fact her sibling.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, stated he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his online statements as ironic.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he shared posts because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment online.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than the president, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

The connection between them evolved through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her testimony by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.