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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—among them the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse against the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to how she stands, due to the fear that any image might be manipulated to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she systematically has to pay attention to what she wears, her body language, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she told the court.

Those on Trial and Charges

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 better known.

Every defendant is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included comparing her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they face up to two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the false claims have caused a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

She emphasized the effects on the family, for example the kids hearing false assertions like "She is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have also filed a legal action in the United States for defamation involving a conservative podcaster who amplified the allegation.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the person cited is really her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• Another defendant claimed that his posts were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he posted posts as he believed it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's identity gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has often been a point of interest on the internet.

She, who is two decades older than the president, first met the future president when serving as a teacher at his school.

Their relationship evolved through drama activities, and they married in 2007, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière concluded her account by expressing that the false claims have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for the first lady.