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Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, has told a judicial body in Paris that false claims spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of online harassment targeting her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière stated that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from her attire to how she stands, due to the concern that every photograph could be distorted to advance hateful attacks.

"The result is that she constantly must be cautious to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are in court for online harassment. Some had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

All is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved linking her age difference with the French president to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, for example her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought anything, and she is continually subjected to this abuse."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have also filed a US lawsuit for defamation involving a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The case clarifies that the claim is completely false and points out that the name mentioned is in fact her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, several defendants disputed the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as ironic.
• Another defendant claimed that his posts were meant to be "satire" and expressed concern that the case could endanger "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant said he disseminated information since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim about Brigitte Macron's gender circulated to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, being significantly older than the president, initially encountered the future president when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her separation.

She finished her account by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.