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The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—such as the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of online harassment directed at her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She explained that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, such as the clothes she wears to how she stands, as a result of the concern that each snapshot could be manipulated to advance hateful attacks.

"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Charges

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent.

All is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this included linking the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's first marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day passes when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

She highlighted the impact on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought any of this, and she is continually subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Background

This case is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the false claim that the first lady is male.

They have pursued a case in America alleging slander targeting a media personality who amplified the theory.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is actually her brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants denied the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were presented as "humor" and voiced worry that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual said he posted content since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim concerning Brigitte Macron's sex circulated partly because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest on the internet.

The first lady, being significantly older than her husband, originally knew him when working as a teacher at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they married in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her account by stating that the false claims have caused a "storm that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.