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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—including the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the court case of a group of defendants accused of online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She explained that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, such as her attire to her posture, due to the concern that every photograph may be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Hardly a day passes when an individual does not talk the issue to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on her relatives, such as the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "She is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she stated. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue anything, and she is permanently facing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

This case represents a recent development in a extended court case addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron was transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a case in America for defamation targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals denied the accusations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, claimed he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he posted posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory concerning the first lady's identity circulated in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, being two decades older than the president, first met Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

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

Auzière wrapped up her statement by saying that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.