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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, informed a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

She stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her demeanor, from the clothes she wears to how she stands, because of the apprehension that any image may be manipulated to support malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, no matter what she's doing in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this involved equating her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they face up to two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

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

She highlighted the repercussions on the family, for example the kids hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know what to do about it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue anything, and she is continually subjected to this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is a man.

They have initiated a case in America for defamation targeting a political commentator who spread the allegation.

The legal filing states that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the name mentioned is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• Another defendant argued that his online activity were presented as "humor" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he posted information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim about Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has often been a topic of comment on the internet.

She, aged significantly older than the president, first met Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.