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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the unfounded rumor that she is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the trial of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment directed at the first lady.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière explained that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, such as her attire to how she stands, because of the apprehension that every photograph might be manipulated to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had modest digital reach, while the rest were more prominent.

Each one is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this extended to equating her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive up to two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

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

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, such as her grandchildren being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to end it," she remarked. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue anything, and she is continually subjected to this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was transgender.

The Macrons have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation against a media personality who spread the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the person cited is actually her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, stated he "did not mean to inflict damage" and described his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his online activity were intended as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he shared information since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's gender spread partly because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, being 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their bond evolved through drama activities, and they married in the following year, subsequent to her divorce.

Auzière finished her statement by stating that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.