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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the groundless claim that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to how she stands, due to the fear that every photograph may be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, her body language, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for digital abuse. Several had limited online influence, while others were more visible.

All is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this extended to comparing the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have caused a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person avoids discussing the issue to her."

She emphasized the effects on her relatives, such as her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she never asked for any of this, and she is permanently subjected to this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that the first lady was male.

They have pursued a case in America over false statements targeting a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The legal filing states that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the person cited is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, a few individuals rejected the charges.

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer stated that his posts were meant to be "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he posted information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction in part because their marriage has long been a topic of comment online.

Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than the president, originally knew the future president when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.