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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, has told a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the baseless theory that the French first lady is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She stated that her mother now worries constantly about her demeanor, from her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that each snapshot might be misused to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always has to pay attention to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are in court for digital abuse. A few had modest digital reach, while several more were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this included linking her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, explained how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on her relatives, such as the kids learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she testified. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue anything, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the baseless theory that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States for defamation against a conservative podcaster who spread the theory.

The lawsuit states that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the individual referenced is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner said he shared posts because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's identity spread partly because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion on the internet.

She, who is two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when serving as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière concluded her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.