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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that false claims spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals facing charges for internet-based abuse targeting her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

She explained that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from her fashion choices to her posture, because of the concern that any image might be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her activities in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were better known.

Every defendant is alleged to have making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. For some, this extended to equating the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

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

She said, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone does not talk these claims to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on her relatives, for example the kids learning about hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue anything, and she is constantly facing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she is male.

The couple have initiated a case in America for defamation against a political commentator who spread the theory.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is actually her brother.

Trial Testimonies

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

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner said he shared content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding Brigitte Macron's identity circulated partly because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, aged significantly older than the president, initially encountered him when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in that year, subsequent to her divorce.

She finished her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for her mother.