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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals accused of online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that any image might be distorted to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to what she wears, her posture, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while others were better known.

Every defendant is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this included comparing the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, stated how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone does not talk this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on the family, including the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she stated. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is constantly facing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is supposedly transgender.

The couple have initiated a legal action in the United States over false statements against a political commentator who amplified the allegation.

The legal filing asserts that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, a few individuals denied the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his posts were meant to be "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he disseminated posts since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's sex circulated partly because their marriage has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than the president, first met the future president when working as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, after her separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "storm that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.