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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals facing charges for online harassment directed at the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to her posture, because of the apprehension that any image might be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for online harassment. Several had a small social media following, while others were better known.

Each one is accused of making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's identity. Among them, this involved comparing the disparity in years with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day passes when a person does not talk the issue to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, for example the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently facing these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is a man.

They have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is completely false and points out that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, some of the accused disputed the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated information because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction to some extent because their union has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

She, who is 24 years older than the president, initially encountered the future president when serving as a instructor at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She finished her testimony by stating that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for the first lady.