Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, informed a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.
She, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for digital bullying directed at Brigitte Macron.
She stated that her mother now is always concerned about her appearance, including her fashion choices to her posture, because of the apprehension that any image might be distorted to support hateful attacks.
"The outcome is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, no matter what her activities in her daily life," Auzière told the court.
Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Some had limited online influence, while several more were more prominent.
Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this involved comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.
If found responsible, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in prison.
Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her daily happiness".
She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."
She pointed out the effects on her relatives, such as the kids hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is actually a man".
"She is unsure how to end it," she stated. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently facing these attacks."
The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case against the false claim that she is supposedly a man.
They have initiated a legal action in the United States over false statements targeting a media personality who promoted the theory.
The legal filing states that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's brother.
During the trial, several defendants disputed the allegations.
The baseless rumor about the first lady's gender circulated partly because their union has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.
She, aged 24 years older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when working as a instructor at his school.
The connection between them developed through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in that year, following her divorce.
She finished her testimony by saying that the false claims have created a "chaos that never stops" for the first lady.
Maya Chen is an urban planner and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable city development and community engagement.