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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the concern that every photograph might be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for online harassment. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent.

Every defendant is alleged to have making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this included linking her age difference with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the false claims have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She said, "Hardly a day goes by when someone fails to mention these claims to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, such as the kids learning about hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to end it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case addressing the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is supposedly a man.

They have initiated a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a political commentator who promoted the claim.

The case asserts that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "never intended to hurt anyone" and described his posts as humorous.
• A fiction writer argued that his online activity were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's identity gained traction partly because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion online.

She, aged 24 years older than her husband, first met Emmanuel Macron when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

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

Auzière concluded her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.