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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions online—including the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals facing charges for digital bullying directed at her mother.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that any image may be manipulated to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, irrespective of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. For some, this involved linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, described how the false claims have caused a "worsening of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day passes when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on the family, such as her grandchildren being exposed to hurtful comments like "She is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle History

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle addressing the baseless theory that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit over false statements involving a media personality who spread the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals denied the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were meant to be "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated posts as he believed it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory regarding Brigitte Macron's identity spread partly because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, who is significantly older than her husband, first met him when working as a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

She finished her account by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "storm that never stops" for her mother.