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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals accused of online harassment against the first lady.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière stated that her mother now worries constantly about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to her posture, due to the fear that every photograph could be manipulated to support hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she systematically must be cautious to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of her activities in everyday routine," Auzière testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while the rest were better known.

Each one is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this involved equating the age gap with her husband to inappropriate terms.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when a person does not talk the issue to her."

She pointed out the impact on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière remarked. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the false claim that the first lady is supposedly a man.

They have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation targeting a political commentator who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is completely false and notes that the name mentioned is really her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual said he shared posts as he believed it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory concerning the first lady's identity gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when serving as a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through drama activities, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.