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The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that she had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment against the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She testified that her mother now is always concerned about her demeanor, such as her fashion choices to her posture, because of the fear that any image could be distorted to support negative campaigns.

"The result is that she constantly must be cautious to what she wears, her posture, regardless of her activities in her daily life," she testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this included equating the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

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

She pointed out the impact on her relatives, for example the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady was male.

The Macrons have initiated a US lawsuit over false statements against a media personality who spread the theory.

The case asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

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

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were presented as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual explained he posted content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction in part because their marriage has often been a point of interest on the internet.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than her husband, originally knew him when working as a educator at his school.

Their bond evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to her divorce.

She finished her account by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.