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The French first lady's child, her daughter, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the trial of ten people facing charges for internet-based abuse against her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière testified that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, from her attire to her posture, because of the concern that any image might be manipulated to support negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she systematically needs to be careful to her outfits, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Accusations

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

All is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this included comparing the disparity in years with the French president to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when someone does not talk the issue to her."

She highlighted the effects on loved ones, such as the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," she remarked. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly facing this abuse."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly transgender.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements against a media personality who promoted the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, several defendants disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his posts were intended as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he shared posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's identity spread in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at his school.

Their relationship grew through theatrical projects, and they married in 2007, subsequent to her divorce.

Auzière finished her statement by saying that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.