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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that false claims online—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in internet-based abuse against her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from her attire to her posture, as a result of the fear that every photograph could be misused to advance malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she constantly needs to be careful to her outfits, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Several had a small social media following, while several more were better known.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to equating the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If found responsible, they face a maximum of two years in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual avoids discussing these claims to her."

She pointed out the effects on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing false assertions like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently facing this abuse."

Court Case Context

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight targeting the baseless theory that the first lady is male.

They have initiated a case in America over false statements against a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant said he shared content because he felt it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's identity spread to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than her husband, first met him when serving as a educator at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière wrapped up her statement by expressing that the false claims have caused a "storm that does not cease" for the first lady.