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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions online—including the groundless claim that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people facing charges for internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She stated that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that any image could be misused to advance negative campaigns.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, her posture, regardless of her activities in everyday routine," she told the court.

Defendants and Charges

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for online harassment. Several had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Every defendant is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved equating her age difference with the French president to offensive labels.

If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when a person does not talk the issue to her."

She emphasized the impact on loved ones, including the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought anything, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Court Case Context

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that she was transgender.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States alleging slander targeting a political commentator who promoted the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, claimed he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his posts as ironic.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual testified he posted information because he felt it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory regarding the first lady's gender spread to some extent because their marriage has long been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She finished her testimony by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.