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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that false claims spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people allegedly involved in digital bullying against Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to her posture, due to the fear that any image may be misused to advance hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always must be cautious to what she wears, her body language, regardless of her activities in everyday routine," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to comparing her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her health" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on loved ones, for example her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she testified. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is continually facing these attacks."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the inaccurate allegation that she is transgender.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements against a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is completely false and notes that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, some of the accused denied the allegations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, stated he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his posts as humorous.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were presented as "humor" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory about the first lady's identity gained traction partly because their marriage has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when she was a teacher at his school.

Their relationship grew through drama activities, and they married in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her account by saying that the false claims have created a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.