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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière testified that her mother now is always concerned about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph may be distorted to support hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly must be cautious to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. A few had modest digital reach, while the rest were more visible.

All is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this extended to comparing her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention the issue to her."

She emphasized the effects on the family, for example the younger generation hearing false assertions like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She was born male".

"She does not know how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly facing these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight addressing the baseless theory that she is supposedly male.

They have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his posts as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were intended as "humor" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he shared content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's identity spread partly because their union has long been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they married in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her testimony by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.