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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière testified that the first lady now is always concerned about her demeanor, including the clothes she wears to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that each snapshot might be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The result is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, her body language, no matter what her activities in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were better known.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this extended to linking the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they face a maximum of two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the false claims have caused a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on her relatives, including the kids hearing false assertions like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Background

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly transgender.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who promoted the theory.

The legal filing asserts that the claim is entirely inaccurate and notes that the person cited is actually her sibling.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to inflict damage" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were intended as "satire" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual explained he posted posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction in part because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, aged 24 years older than the president, initially encountered him when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.