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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that false claims online—including the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals accused of digital bullying targeting her mother.

Effects on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, including the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that every photograph may be misused to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, her body language, no matter what her activities in everyday routine," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this involved comparing the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, such as the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is male.

The Macrons have pursued a case in America alleging slander involving a political commentator who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is really her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused disputed the allegations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were intended as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could endanger "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he posted information because he felt it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's gender spread to some extent because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than her husband, first met Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his school.

The connection between them evolved through theatrical projects, and they married in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She concluded her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.