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The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals facing charges for digital bullying against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her demeanor, from her attire to the way she carries herself, because of the concern that every photograph could be manipulated to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to her outfits, her body language, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is accused of spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's identity. In certain cases, this extended to comparing the disparity in years with the French president to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they could receive as much as 24 months in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

She highlighted the effects on the family, such as her grandchildren learning about malicious statements like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for public attention, and she is permanently experiencing this abuse."

Legal Battle Context

This case is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander against a political commentator who spread the theory.

The legal filing clarifies that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• Another defendant claimed that his online activity were intended as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he shared posts because he felt it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because their union has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, being 24 years older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when serving as a instructor at his school.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her statement by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.