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The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a attorney, appeared as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying against the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

She testified that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the fear that any image might be distorted to fuel negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had modest digital reach, while several more were more prominent.

All is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this involved comparing her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they could receive a maximum of two years in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, stated how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when someone does not talk these claims to her."

She highlighted the effects on her relatives, including her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight targeting the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is supposedly male.

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

The legal filing clarifies that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, some of the accused disputed the charges.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his posts as ironic.
• A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could threaten "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant said he disseminated posts because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's sex circulated partly because their union has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than her husband, first met the future president when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in that year, following her separation.

She concluded her testimony by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.