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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, informed a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—such as the groundless claim that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in digital bullying directed at her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that every photograph might be manipulated to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, her body language, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had limited online influence, while several more were more visible.

Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this included equating the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's first marriage, described how the baseless rumors have caused a "worsening of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

She pointed out the effects on loved ones, for example her grandchildren hearing hurtful comments like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is constantly subjected to this abuse."

Court Case History

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly male.

The Macrons have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander targeting a media personality who spread the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his posts were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant testified he shared content as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex spread to some extent because their marriage has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, being 24 years older than her husband, originally knew the future president when working as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in 2007, following her separation.

She finished her testimony by stating that the false claims have produced a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.