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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—among them the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals facing charges for digital bullying against the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that every photograph may be distorted to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, her posture, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Charges

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had modest digital reach, while the rest were better known.

Every defendant is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to equating the disparity in years with the French president to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

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

She highlighted the effects on loved ones, such as the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue anything, and she is continually experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case targeting the false claim that the first lady is supposedly male.

The couple have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The legal filing asserts that the claim is completely false and notes that the person cited is in fact her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he disseminated posts as he believed it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's identity spread in part because their marriage has often been a topic of comment on the internet.

She, aged 24 years older than her husband, first met Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at his school.

Their bond evolved through drama activities, and they wed in that year, subsequent to her separation.

She finished her statement by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.