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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, because of the concern that every photograph may be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she systematically has to pay attention to her clothing, her body language, no matter what she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Charges

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had modest digital reach, while the rest were more prominent.

All is accused of spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on her relatives, for example the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight targeting the inaccurate allegation that she is a man.

They have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who promoted the claim.

The lawsuit states that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, a few individuals rejected the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his online activity were presented as "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated posts because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's gender spread in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than the president, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when serving as a teacher at his school.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in that year, after her separation.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have caused a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.