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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the court case of a group of defendants accused of internet-based abuse against her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She testified that her mother now worries constantly about how she looks, such as her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that every photograph might be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. Among them, this included comparing the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they could receive up to two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when someone does not talk this to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, for example the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that the first lady is transgender.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States alleging slander involving a political commentator who spread the allegation.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

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

• An individual, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his online statements as ironic.
• Another defendant stated that his social media shares were intended as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared content as he believed it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim concerning Brigitte Macron's sex circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment online.

The first lady, being two decades older than her husband, first met him when she was a educator at the institution he attended.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in 2007, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She finished her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that does not cease" for the first lady.