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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière stated that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that any image may be distorted to advance negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, no matter what her actions in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while several more were more prominent.

All is alleged to have making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this involved comparing the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She said, "Not a day goes by when someone does not talk these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the repercussions on the family, such as the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she testified. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Background

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a broader legal battle against the false claim that Brigitte Macron was male.

They have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander against a media personality who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the claim is completely false and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, some of the accused rejected the charges.

• A retired business owner, holding a public position, claimed he "never intended to cause harm" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were meant to be "satire" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he posted content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's sex circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.

She, aged 24 years older than her husband, first met Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in that year, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her statement by expressing that the false claims have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for her mother.