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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, was called as a witness in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against the first lady.

Effects on Daily Life

She testified that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that each snapshot might be distorted to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she constantly must be cautious to her outfits, her posture, irrespective of her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Each one is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this included linking the disparity in years with the French president to offensive labels.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person does not talk this to her."

Auzière emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, including the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She is unsure what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady was male.

They have also filed a case in America for defamation targeting a media personality who spread the allegation.

The legal filing states that the claim is completely false and notes that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, some of the accused denied the accusations.

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, stated he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• An art gallery owner said he shared posts since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's gender spread to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than the president, first met the future president when serving as a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their bond grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in the following year, after her separation.

Auzière finished her statement by saying that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.