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Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, informed a judicial body in Paris that false claims spread through social media—among them the unfounded rumor that the French first lady is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying against the first lady.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that any image could be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she systematically needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, in that age range, are on trial for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

All is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved linking the age gap with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual fails to mention the issue to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, such as her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea how to end it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Background

This case represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements involving a conservative podcaster who spread the theory.

The case states that the accusation is completely false and points out that the name mentioned is actually her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, some of the accused disputed the allegations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, claimed he "never intended to cause harm" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his online activity were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared posts as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a point of interest on the internet.

The first lady, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in the following year, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

She concluded her account by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.