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The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the unfounded rumor that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the court case of 10 individuals accused of online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Daily Life

She testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that each snapshot might be manipulated to advance malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly has to pay attention to her outfits, her body language, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were more visible.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this included equating the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.

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

Effect on Relatives

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day passes when a person does not talk these claims to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, such as the kids hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Court Case Context

This case is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight against the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a legal action in the United States for defamation targeting a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is really her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his online activity were presented as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he posted posts since he thought it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's sex circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has often been a point of interest on the internet.

She, being 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through drama activities, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

She finished her account by saying that the false claims have created a "storm that never stops" for her mother.