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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations online—such as the unfounded rumor that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the court case of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying targeting the first lady.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, including her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that each snapshot could be misused to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for online harassment. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

Every defendant is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. Among them, this included equating the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the false claims have caused a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual does not talk the issue to her."

She highlighted the impact on the family, for example the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to stop it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for anything, and she is continually facing this abuse."

Court Case Background

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that she is male.

They have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a political commentator who spread the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is actually her brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the allegations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were presented as "irony" and expressed concern that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he posted content because he felt it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory regarding the first lady's identity gained traction partly because their marriage has long been a topic of comment on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than her husband, first met the future president when she was a teacher at the institution he attended.

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

Auzière concluded her statement by stating that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for her mother.