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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that false claims spread through social media—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying targeting her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, including her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the apprehension that each snapshot might be manipulated to fuel negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her activities in everyday routine," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

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

All is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to comparing the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when a person avoids discussing the issue to her."

She pointed out the effects on her relatives, including the kids being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for public attention, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Court Case Context

This case represents a recent development in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is supposedly male.

They have initiated a case in America alleging slander targeting a media personality who amplified the allegation.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is completely false and points out that the person cited is actually her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused denied the accusations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, stated he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer claimed that his posts were meant to be "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant said he shared information because he felt it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity spread in part because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, being 24 years older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through drama activities, and they married in the following year, after her separation.

She concluded her account by stating that the false claims have created a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.