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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—including the groundless claim that she had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière stated that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph could be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of her activities in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had modest digital reach, while the rest were more prominent.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's identity. Among them, this extended to comparing the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "worsening of her physical state" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when a person does not talk the issue to her."

She pointed out the effects on the family, including the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is supposedly male.

The couple have also filed a US lawsuit over false statements against a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is completely false and notes that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, a few individuals denied the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant testified he shared content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory regarding the first lady's sex gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

She, being 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, first met Emmanuel Macron when serving as a teacher at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in 2007, subsequent to her separation.

Auzière concluded her statement by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "chaos that does not cease" for the first lady.