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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations online—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at the first lady.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She testified that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, including her attire to her posture, due to the fear that every photograph might be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Charges

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while others were better known.

Every defendant is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included comparing the age gap with her husband to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "decline of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She said, "Hardly a day passes when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, including the younger generation hearing hurtful comments like "She is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She holds no office, she never asked for public attention, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly a man.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States for defamation against a political commentator who spread the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, a few individuals denied the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his online statements as ironic.
• A well-known publicist argued that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the case could undermine "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he shared posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's identity circulated partly because their union has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is significantly older than the president, initially encountered the future president when working as a teacher at his secondary school.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, following her marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.