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The French first lady's child, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

Auzière explained that her mother now worries constantly about her appearance, including her attire to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that any image could be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, regardless of her activities in day-to-day existence," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are in court for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while others were better known.

Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this included equating her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to up to two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the false claims have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual fails to mention this to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, for example her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly facing these assaults."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was a man.

They have also filed a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The case clarifies that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused rejected the charges.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• Another defendant argued that his posts were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the trial could endanger "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant explained he shared content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The false theory about the first lady's identity circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through drama activities, and they wed in that year, following her separation.

She concluded her account by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "storm that never stops" for her mother.