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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations online—such as the groundless claim that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants facing charges for internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Effects on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that every photograph could be misused to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she always must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of her actions in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Those on Trial and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for digital abuse. Some had a small social media following, while others were more prominent.

All is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

She pointed out the effects on loved ones, such as the younger generation hearing hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually facing these attacks."

Legal Battle History

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the inaccurate allegation that the first lady was male.

The couple have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a media personality who spread the theory.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his online statements as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the case could endanger "free speech".
• A third defendant testified he posted information since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim concerning Brigitte Macron's identity spread in part because their marriage has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

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

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her account by stating that the baseless rumors have produced a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.