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The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—including the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in digital bullying against her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

She testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, including her attire to her posture, because of the concern that every photograph could be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Each one is alleged to have making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this extended to equating her age difference with the French president to offensive labels.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She said, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing these claims to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on the family, for example her grandchildren being exposed to false assertions like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to stop it," she testified. "She holds no office, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently experiencing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron was transgender.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the theory.

The case asserts that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, claimed he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer stated that his online activity were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he posted posts since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex circulated to some extent because their union has frequently been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

She, being significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when working as a instructor at his school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, after her separation.

She finished her statement by expressing that the baseless rumors have caused a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.