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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—such as the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.

Impact on Everyday Activities

Auzière explained that her mother now is always concerned about her appearance, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that each snapshot could be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for digital abuse. A few had a small social media following, while others were more prominent.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's identity. Among them, this extended to equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She said, "Not a day passes when a person avoids discussing this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on the family, such as the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly experiencing these assaults."

Court Case History

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case against the false claim that she was a man.

The couple have pursued a case in America over false statements targeting a media personality who spread the claim.

The case states that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants disputed the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist argued that his posts were meant to be "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated information since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex spread to some extent because their marriage has often been a topic of comment online.

The first lady, aged 24 years older than the president, initially encountered the future president when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after her divorce.

Auzière concluded her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "storm that never stops" for the first lady.