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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—among them the groundless claim that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a testifier in the court case of ten people facing charges for online harassment targeting the first lady.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that any image could be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The result is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her posture, regardless of her actions in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while several more were more visible.

Each one is accused of spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this involved comparing her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they could receive a maximum of two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She said, "Hardly a day goes by when a person avoids discussing the issue to her."

She pointed out the effects on the family, for example the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue anything, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is male.

The couple have initiated a case in America alleging slander involving a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit states that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is actually her sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were intended as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he disseminated content because he felt it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

The first lady, being significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when serving as a teacher at his school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in that year, after her divorce.

Auzière wrapped up her account by expressing that the false claims have created a "storm that does not cease" for her mother.