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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants facing charges for digital bullying targeting her mother.

Effects on Personal Routine

Auzière testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that each snapshot may be manipulated to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she systematically must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had a small social media following, while several more were better known.

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

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

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She testified, "Not a day passes when an individual does not talk this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, for example the kids hearing false assertions like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue anything, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case targeting the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was a man.

They have also filed a US lawsuit over false statements against a media personality who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

In court, a few individuals denied the accusations.

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, claimed he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were intended as "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner explained he shared content as he believed it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about the first lady's sex gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment online.

Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than the president, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, following her divorce.

She finished her testimony by expressing that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.