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The French first lady's child, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—among them the unfounded rumor that the French first lady is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals accused of online harassment targeting her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from her attire to how she stands, as a result of the fear that every photograph might be manipulated to fuel negative campaigns.

"The result is that she constantly needs to be careful to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Several had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this involved equating her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to up to two years in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person avoids discussing these claims to her."

She highlighted the impact on her relatives, such as the kids learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently experiencing these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight targeting the baseless theory that the first lady is transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements involving a media personality who spread the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is in fact her brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants denied the allegations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were presented as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he shared information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim about Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction to some extent because their union has frequently been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

She, aged 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, following her divorce.

She finished her testimony by saying that the false claims have produced a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.