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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims online—among them the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of internet-based abuse against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that any image might be manipulated to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, her posture, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Ten individuals, in that age range, are in court 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 gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to equating the age gap with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when a person avoids discussing this to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, including the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a broader legal battle against the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly a man.

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

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

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants denied the allegations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his social media content as humorous.
• Another defendant stated that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "free speech".
• An art gallery owner said he posted content as he believed it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's sex spread partly because their union has often been a topic of comment on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when working as a instructor at his school.

The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She wrapped up her account by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for her mother.