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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the baseless theory that she was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Effects on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, such as her attire to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that each snapshot may be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. A few had limited online influence, while several more were better known.

Each one is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this involved comparing the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to up to two years in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She explained, "Not a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing these claims to her."

She pointed out the effects on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She was born male".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she testified. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that the first lady was transgender.

They have also filed a legal action in the United States over false statements against a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The legal filing states that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he posted content as he believed it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory concerning the first lady's identity circulated partly because their union has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, being significantly older than the president, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

The connection between them developed through drama activities, and they married in 2007, following her separation.

She wrapped up her account by saying that the false claims have created a "chaos that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.