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The French first lady's child, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people facing charges for online harassment directed at her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, such as her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the fear that any image may be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Allegations

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were more prominent.

All is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this extended to linking the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they could receive a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when someone does not talk the issue to her."

She highlighted the impact on loved ones, such as the kids hearing hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently experiencing these attacks."

Court Case History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is male.

The Macrons have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a conservative podcaster who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
• Another individual said he posted information since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory about the first lady's sex spread partly because their union has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

She, aged 24 years older than the president, originally knew the future president when she was a instructor at his school.

Their bond grew through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her statement by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for the first lady.