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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in digital bullying against Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière stated that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph may be misused to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to her outfits, her body language, no matter what her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this included comparing the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the false claims have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when someone avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on her relatives, including her grandchildren being exposed to false assertions like "She is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly experiencing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the false claim that the first lady was transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit for defamation involving a political commentator who promoted the claim.

The case asserts that the claim is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is really her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "did not mean to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• Another defendant claimed that his online activity were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he disseminated information as he believed it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim concerning Brigitte Macron's gender circulated in part because their union has often been a point of interest online.

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

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they wed in 2007, following her marriage dissolution.

She concluded her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "storm that never stops" for the first lady.