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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that false claims circulating on the internet—including the groundless claim that she was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a legal professional, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in internet-based abuse against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She testified that her mother now worries constantly about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to how she stands, due to the fear that any image may be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she constantly needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, regardless of her activities in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for digital abuse. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this included linking her age difference with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on loved ones, such as her grandchildren being exposed to malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for public attention, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly male.

The couple have pursued a case in America alleging slander involving a political commentator who amplified the claim.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his online activity were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory regarding the first lady's identity circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has long been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they married in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière concluded her testimony by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "storm that continues endlessly" for the first lady.