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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that false claims spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

She explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, as a result of the concern that any image might be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The result is that she constantly must be cautious to her clothing, her body language, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while others were better known.

Every defendant is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this extended to linking her age difference with her husband to offensive labels.

If convicted, they could receive up to two years in prison.

Family Impact

She, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when an individual fails to mention this to her."

She highlighted the effects on the family, for example her grandchildren being exposed to false assertions like "She is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière remarked. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Legal Battle Context

This case represents a recent development in a extended court case addressing the false claim that she is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have initiated a legal action in the United States alleging slander against a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer stated that his posts were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the legal action could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual explained he shared information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

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

She, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met him when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her testimony by stating that the false claims have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.