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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She testified that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about her demeanor, including her attire to how she stands, as a result of the fear that any image may be manipulated to support hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she systematically must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, regardless of she's doing in day-to-day existence," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were more prominent.

Each one is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. For some, this included comparing her age difference with her husband to offensive labels.

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

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on her relatives, for example the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to end it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she never asked for public attention, and she is constantly subjected to these assaults."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly male.

The Macrons have pursued a case in America for defamation involving a political commentator who spread the claim.

The legal filing states that the accusation is completely false and points out that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted information since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's identity circulated in part because their union has long been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, initially encountered the future president when working as a educator at his school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.