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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals facing charges for digital bullying against the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

She stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, such as her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that each snapshot might be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, her posture, no matter what her activities in day-to-day existence," she testified.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had limited online influence, while others were better known.

Each one is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this involved equating her age difference with the French president to inappropriate terms.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Not a day passes when someone fails to mention these claims to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, for example the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is permanently facing this abuse."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she was male.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander against a media personality who spread the theory.

The legal filing states that the accusation is completely false and notes that the person cited is actually her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• A well-known publicist argued that his posts were meant to be "satire" and expressed concern that the case could undermine "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated information since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion online.

She, who is two decades older than the president, initially encountered him when working as a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through drama activities, and they married in 2007, after her separation.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by saying that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.