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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that false claims online—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of ten people accused of online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Personal Routine

Auzière explained that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that every photograph might be misused to fuel negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, no matter what her activities in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Charges

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Every defendant is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this extended to equating the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual does not talk the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on her relatives, including the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought public attention, and she is constantly subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Background

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she is a man.

They have initiated a case in America alleging slander targeting a political commentator who promoted the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is in fact her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his online activity were presented as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted posts because he felt it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's sex circulated to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, being two decades older than the president, first met him when serving as a instructor at his school.

The connection between them developed through theatrical projects, and they married in that year, following her separation.

She finished her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.