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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—among them the groundless claim that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

She stated that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to how she stands, because of the concern that every photograph could be distorted to fuel negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, her posture, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this extended to equating her age difference with the French president to offensive labels.

If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have caused a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

She emphasized the effects on her relatives, including the kids hearing hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she testified. "She holds no office, she never asked for any of this, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle History

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the baseless theory that she is supposedly male.

The Macrons have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation against a political commentator who spread the claim.

The legal filing states that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer argued that his online activity were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared posts since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim concerning Brigitte Macron's sex circulated to some extent because their union has often been a point of interest on the internet.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they wed in that year, following her marriage dissolution.

She finished her testimony by saying that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.