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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations online—including the baseless theory that she is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the court case of ten people facing charges for online harassment targeting the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She stated that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, due to the apprehension that every photograph may be distorted to support negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to her clothing, her posture, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for digital abuse. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were better known.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this extended to comparing the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

She, a daughter from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when someone fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, including her grandchildren hearing hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought anything, and she is constantly subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the false claim that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have also filed a case in America over false statements involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the allegation.

The case asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the case could endanger "free speech".
• Another individual explained he posted information as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The baseless rumor about the first lady's gender gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has often been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

The first lady, being significantly older than the president, initially encountered him when serving as a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their relationship grew through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have created a "storm that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.