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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the groundless claim that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Personal Routine

She explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, as a result of the fear that any image could be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, how she holds herself, irrespective of her activities in day-to-day existence," she told the court.

Those on Trial and Allegations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. Some had modest digital reach, while the rest were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this included linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to up to two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when an individual fails to mention this to her."

She emphasized the effects on the family, including her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to stop it," she testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is constantly experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the inaccurate allegation that the first lady was a man.

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander targeting a political commentator who amplified the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, claimed he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his posts as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were presented as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "freedom of expression".
• Another individual explained he shared content because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's gender gained traction partly because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.