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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—among them the baseless theory that she is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the fear that each snapshot may be misused to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she constantly has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Allegations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. Several had limited online influence, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included comparing her age difference with the French president to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual does not talk these claims to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, such as the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the false claim that she was a man.

The Macrons have also filed a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is completely false and notes that the person cited is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges.

• One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual said he posted posts since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction in part because their marriage has long been a point of interest online.

She, who is 24 years older than the president, first met him when she was a teacher at his school.

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

She concluded her statement by saying that the false claims have created a "storm that never stops" for her mother.