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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of online harassment targeting her mother.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She stated that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including the clothes she wears to how she stands, as a result of the concern that any image could be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she systematically must be cautious to her outfits, how she holds herself, no matter what she's doing in day-to-day existence," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are in court for online harassment. Several had modest digital reach, while others were better known.

Every defendant is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this included comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they face up to two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on the family, such as her grandchildren hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently subjected to this abuse."

Court Case History

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case targeting the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is supposedly male.

They have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the claim.

The case clarifies that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is really her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, several defendants denied the accusations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as satirical.
• Another defendant stated that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could undermine "freedom of expression".
• Another individual said he shared content as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's gender spread in part because their marriage has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

She, aged two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew the future president when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, following her separation.

Auzière finished her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "chaos that continues endlessly" for her mother.