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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that the French first lady was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the trial of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment directed at the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to how she stands, because of the concern that every photograph may be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she constantly must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

All is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this extended to linking the age gap with the French president to inappropriate terms.

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

Effect on Relatives

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She testified, "Hardly a day passes when a person does not talk this to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on the family, including the younger generation hearing false assertions like "Brigitte is lying" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently facing these attacks."

Court Case Background

This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron was a man.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a media personality who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his posts were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual explained he posted posts since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim about Brigitte Macron's sex circulated in part because their union has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged two decades older than her husband, originally knew the future president when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She finished her account by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that does not cease" for her mother.