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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations online—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the court case of ten people facing charges for internet-based abuse directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from her fashion choices to her posture, because of the fear that each snapshot might be misused to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to her clothing, her body language, no matter what her activities in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had modest digital reach, while the rest were better known.

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

If convicted, they face up to two years in jail.

Family Impact

She, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when an individual fails to mention these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the repercussions on the family, including the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought public attention, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Context

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she is male.

The couple have pursued a case in America for defamation targeting a media personality who amplified the theory.

The case clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the person cited is in fact her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the charges.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• An art gallery owner said he shared posts as he believed it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's sex circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment online.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than her husband, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a educator at his secondary school.

The connection between them evolved through theatrical projects, and they married in that year, following her divorce.

Auzière finished her account by saying that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.