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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that she was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a witness in the court case of a group of defendants facing charges for internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.

Effects on Personal Routine

She explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about how she looks, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that any image could be misused to advance negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to her outfits, her posture, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent.

All is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this included linking the disparity in years with the French president to inappropriate terms.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She explained, "Not a day passes when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

She pointed out the impact on her relatives, including the younger generation hearing hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case against the false claim that the first lady is transgender.

The couple have pursued a case in America alleging slander against a political commentator who amplified the claim.

The lawsuit clarifies that the claim is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the allegations.

• An individual, holding a public position, asserted he "did not mean to inflict damage" and referred to his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were presented as "irony" and voiced worry that the case could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated posts since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction partly because their union has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, being 24 years older than the president, first met him when she was a instructor at his secondary school.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She finished her account by saying that the false claims have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for the first lady.