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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—such as the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying targeting the first lady.

Effects on Personal Routine

She testified that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that every photograph may be misused to support hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she systematically needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, regardless of she's doing in her daily life," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were better known.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this involved linking the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

She, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when a person does not talk this to her."

She highlighted the impact on the family, including the younger generation hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Background

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

They have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements targeting a conservative podcaster who amplified the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his posts were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant testified he disseminated information because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about the first lady's gender circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment on the internet.

She, aged two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when she was a educator at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in 2007, following her marriage dissolution.

Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "chaos that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.