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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière explained that her mother now worries constantly about her appearance, including her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the concern that every photograph might be manipulated to advance hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she systematically has to pay attention to her clothing, her body language, regardless of her activities in everyday routine," she told the court.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had modest digital reach, while the rest were better known.

Each one is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. Among them, this extended to comparing her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

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

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention this to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks."

Court Case Background

This case represents a recent development in a extended court case addressing the false claim that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The couple have also filed a case in America alleging slander targeting a conservative podcaster who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and points out that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as humorous.
• Another defendant argued that his online activity were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he shared content because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's gender circulated to some extent because their marriage has long been a topic of comment online.

Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than her husband, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a educator at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.