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The French first lady's child, her daughter, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the court case of ten people accused of internet-based abuse against the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

She explained that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, because of the concern that each snapshot could be manipulated to support negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her activities in everyday routine," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Charges

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are on trial for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while several more were better known.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. For some, this included comparing the age gap with the French president to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they face as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when someone fails to mention the issue to her."

She highlighted the impact on her relatives, for example the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that Brigitte Macron was male.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a media personality who promoted the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, stated he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant testified he posted posts since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's identity spread in part because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, being significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when working as a instructor at his school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, following her separation.

She wrapped up her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.