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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for internet-based abuse against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She explained that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph may be manipulated to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, no matter what her actions in her daily life," she testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while several more were better known.

All is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to comparing the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual fails to mention these claims to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on the family, including her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Legal Battle Background

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that the first lady is transgender.

The Macrons have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

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

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, claimed he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were presented as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner explained he shared content as he believed it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's sex spread partly because their union has often been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when she was a teacher at his school.

Their bond developed through drama activities, and they married in the following year, subsequent to her divorce.

She wrapped up her account by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.