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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals facing charges for digital bullying against Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that any image may be misused to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Every defendant is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this included linking the age gap with the French president to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to up to two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on her relatives, such as the kids hearing malicious statements like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She holds no office, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is supposedly male.

They have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a media personality who amplified the theory.

The legal filing asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and notes that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Trial Testimonies

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

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were meant to be "satire" and voiced worry that the case could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared content as he believed it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's identity gained traction to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

She, who is 24 years older than the president, originally knew the future president when she was a educator at his school.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She wrapped up her account by stating that the false claims have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for her mother.