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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—among them the unfounded rumor that she was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the trial of ten people accused of internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière explained that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, including the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that any image might be misused to support malicious comments.

"The result is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent.

Each one is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. For some, this involved linking her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her health" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

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

She highlighted the effects on the family, including the younger generation hearing hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She's not elected, she never asked for public attention, and she is continually facing these assaults."

Court Case Context

This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the baseless theory that she is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements against a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the individual referenced is really her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to cause harm" and described his online statements as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he posted posts because he felt it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

She, aged significantly older than her husband, first met the future president when serving as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her statement by stating that the baseless rumors have caused a "chaos that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.