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The French first lady's child, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of online harassment targeting the first lady.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, including her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that every photograph could be distorted to advance hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were more prominent.

All is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this included linking the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when someone fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on her relatives, for example her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought public attention, and she is constantly facing this abuse."

Court Case Context

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that she was a man.

They have also filed a case in America for defamation targeting a media personality who promoted the claim.

The lawsuit states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is actually her brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as ironic.
• Another defendant claimed that his online activity were presented as "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he disseminated information because he felt it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim regarding Brigitte Macron's gender circulated in part because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

She, aged significantly older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when serving as a educator at the institution he attended.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to her separation.

She finished her statement by stating that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "storm that never stops" for her mother.