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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—such as the baseless theory that she was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment against the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from her attire to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that any image might be misused to support malicious comments.

"The result is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, her body language, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were more prominent.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this included comparing the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they could receive a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Hardly a day goes by when a person fails to mention this to her."

Auzière highlighted the impact on the family, for example the kids learning about malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea how to end it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is permanently experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is a man.

They have initiated a case in America alleging slander against a political commentator who spread the theory.

The case states that the accusation is completely false and notes that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• Another defendant stated that his online activity were meant to be "satire" and voiced worry that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he shared posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's gender circulated in part because their union has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

She, being 24 years older than her husband, first met him when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in the following year, following her marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.