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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that inaccurate assertions online—such as the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She stated that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the fear that any image could be misused to support malicious comments.

"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had modest digital reach, while the rest were better known.

Every defendant is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. For some, this extended to comparing her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual fails to mention this to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on the family, including the kids hearing malicious statements like "She is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to end it," she testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a media personality who spread the allegation.

The legal filing states that the allegation is totally unfounded and notes that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were presented as "humor" and expressed concern that the legal action could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual said he posted information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

The first lady, who is two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when working as a educator at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in that year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière wrapped up her statement by stating that the false claims have produced a "chaos that continues endlessly" for the first lady.