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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that false claims circulating on the internet—including the baseless theory that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in digital bullying directed at the first lady.

Effects on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now is always concerned about her demeanor, such as her attire to her posture, as a result of the fear that any image might be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while the rest were better known.

Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to up to two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day passes when an individual fails to mention these claims to her."

Auzière highlighted the effects on the family, such as the younger generation hearing false assertions like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case targeting the false claim that she is male.

The couple have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is actually her sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, some of the accused rejected the charges.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner said he shared information as he believed it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's identity spread partly because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion online.

She, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when she was a instructor at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through drama activities, and they married in that year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.