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Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Daily Life

She testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from the clothes she wears to how she stands, because of the fear that each snapshot might be distorted to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," she told the court.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. Some had modest digital reach, while several more were better known.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this involved linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, described how the baseless rumors have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Hardly a day passes when an individual does not talk these claims to her."

She highlighted the impact on the family, including the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," she remarked. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually experiencing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings History

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that she was male.

The Macrons have also filed a case in America for defamation against a conservative podcaster who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his online statements as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he shared posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's gender circulated in part because their marriage has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, being two decades older than the president, originally knew the future president when she was a instructor at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after her separation.

Auzière concluded her account by saying that the baseless rumors have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.