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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—among them the unfounded rumor that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to how she stands, due to the concern that each snapshot could be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The result is that she constantly must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, no matter what her actions in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were better known.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this extended to comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the baseless rumors have caused a "worsening of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person avoids discussing these claims to her."

She pointed out the effects on loved ones, such as her grandchildren learning about malicious statements like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to end it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

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

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a political commentator who amplified the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals denied the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer stated that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant said he posted content since he thought it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's gender circulated to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has long been a subject of discussion online.

She, aged significantly older than the president, initially encountered him when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She concluded her testimony by stating that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.