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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, served as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment directed at the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that each snapshot might be distorted to support negative campaigns.

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

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. A few had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent.

Each one is accused of making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this involved linking the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they could receive up to two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's first marriage, explained how the false claims have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when a person avoids discussing these claims to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on her relatives, including the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she stated. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the inaccurate allegation that she was male.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States alleging slander targeting a media personality who spread the theory.

The case clarifies that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is actually her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants denied the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were presented as "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant explained he shared information because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity spread to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, aged significantly older than the president, first met the future president when serving as a educator at the institution he attended.

The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in that year, subsequent to her separation.

She wrapped up her testimony by expressing that the false claims have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.