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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that she had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of ten people accused of digital bullying against her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

She testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her appearance, from her attire to her posture, due to the apprehension that each snapshot may be misused to support negative campaigns.

"The result is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Every defendant is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this included linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they could receive up to two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her quality of life".

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

Auzière highlighted the impact on the family, for example the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly experiencing these assaults."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron was a man.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States for defamation against a conservative podcaster who amplified the allegation.

The legal filing clarifies that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to inflict damage" and described his posts as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he shared posts as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex gained traction in part because their marriage has often been a point of interest on the internet.

She, being 24 years older than her husband, originally knew the future president when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She wrapped up her statement by stating that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.