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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—such as the unfounded rumor that she had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants facing charges for digital bullying directed at the first lady.

Effects on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from her attire to her posture, as a result of the fear that any image could be manipulated to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she systematically needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for online harassment. Several had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

Every defendant is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this involved comparing her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

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

Family Impact

She, one of three children from her mother's first marriage, described how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, including her grandchildren hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is continually subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a broader legal battle against the false claim that Brigitte Macron is male.

The Macrons have pursued a legal action in the United States alleging slander targeting a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit states that the claim is completely false and points out that the individual referenced is in fact her sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants denied the allegations.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his posts were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the trial could endanger "free speech".
• A third defendant said he disseminated content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction to some extent because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, being 24 years 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, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her account by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "chaos that does not cease" for the first lady.