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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, informed a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, was called as a testifier in the trial of a group of defendants facing charges for digital bullying targeting her mother.

Impact on Personal Routine

She explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the fear that every photograph could be distorted to support hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she systematically must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Charges

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

Every defendant is alleged to have making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this included comparing the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's first marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

She emphasized the effects on loved ones, including the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to end it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently experiencing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that she is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

In court, some of the accused rejected the charges.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, claimed he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's identity spread to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged two decades older than her husband, first met the future president when she was a teacher at his school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière concluded her account by stating that the false claims have caused a "storm that does not cease" for the first lady.