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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—among them the baseless theory that she is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the court case of 10 individuals allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She stated that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, because of the fear that any image could be distorted to advance hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, how she holds herself, no matter what her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Allegations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this extended to linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have caused a "deterioration of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life".

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

She emphasized the effects on her relatives, for example her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "She is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the baseless theory that the first lady is a man.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States alleging slander targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the theory.

The case clarifies that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, claimed he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his posts as humorous.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he shared content because he felt it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction in part because their union has often been a point of interest online.

The first lady, being 24 years older than the president, first met the future president when she was a educator at the institution he attended.

Their bond evolved through drama activities, and they wed in the following year, following her divorce.

Auzière concluded her statement by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for the first lady.