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The French first lady's child, her daughter, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Consequences on Personal Routine

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that any image may be distorted to support negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her posture, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while others were more visible.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved linking the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, explained 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 goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on her relatives, for example the kids hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to stop it," she stated. "She holds no office, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually facing these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the false claim that the first lady is transgender.

They have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander targeting a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The legal filing states that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, asserted he "never intended to cause harm" and described his online statements as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the legal action could endanger "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he shared content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory concerning the first lady's identity circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when she was a teacher at his school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her statement by stating that the false claims have produced a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.