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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a legal professional, was called as a witness in the trial of ten people accused of internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She stated that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about how she looks, including her attire to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that every photograph may be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in her daily life," she told the court.

Defendants and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for online harassment. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent.

All is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this involved linking the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to up to two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual fails to mention these claims to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, for example the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is constantly subjected to these assaults."

Court Case Background

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight addressing the false claim that she is a man.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit over false statements against a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is completely false and points out that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he posted information since he thought it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's sex circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a point of interest on the internet.

The first lady, being significantly older than the president, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her testimony by expressing that the false claims have produced a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.