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Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a testifier in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She explained that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the concern that each snapshot might be misused to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she systematically needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of her actions in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for digital abuse. Some had modest digital reach, while the rest were more visible.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to equating her age difference with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

If found responsible, they face up to two years in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day goes by when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

Auzière emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, such as the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to stop it," she stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for public attention, and she is permanently experiencing these assaults."

Legal Battle Background

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is supposedly male.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who promoted the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the accusation is completely false and points out that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant testified he posted information since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond evolved through drama activities, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to her divorce.

Auzière finished her statement by expressing that the false claims have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for her mother.