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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of ten people accused of internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She testified that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to her posture, because of the concern that each snapshot could be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

All is alleged to have making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to equating her age difference with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

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

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

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

Auzière highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, such as the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is continually subjected to these attacks."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case targeting the baseless theory that she is supposedly a man.

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

The legal filing asserts that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the accusations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as ironic.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were meant to be "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual explained he shared content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's identity circulated in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

She, being significantly older than the president, originally knew him when serving as a instructor at his school.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in the following year, after her divorce.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by saying that the false claims have created a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.