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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that she is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, was called as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She explained that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the concern that every photograph could be misused to advance hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this extended to equating her age difference with the French president to offensive labels.

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

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the false claims have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, including her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to end it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue anything, and she is permanently facing these attacks."

Court Case Background

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the baseless theory that she is a man.

They have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a media personality who amplified the claim.

The legal filing states that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, some of the accused denied the charges.

• An individual, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were presented as "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
• Another individual explained he shared content since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory about the first lady's gender spread partly because their marriage has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than the president, initially encountered the future president when serving as a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their relationship developed through drama activities, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

She concluded her statement by saying that the false claims have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.