Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, has come under fire following the release of a video in which she used a derogatory term to describe feminist protesters. The incident occurred backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris on Sunday, during a conversation with Ary Abittan, a French comedian previously accused of rape. This discussion took place just a day after feminist activists had disrupted Abittan’s performance, chanting “Abittan, rapist!” to voice their concerns about sexual violence and the perceived culture of impunity surrounding it.
In the video, Brigitte Macron expressed concern for Abittan’s well-being after he claimed to feel scared about the harassment he faced. In an effort to comfort him, she made an inappropriate comment, suggesting they should “toss them out,” referring to the protesting women. Her office later clarified that the remark was aimed at reassuring Abittan rather than attacking the feminist cause. They stated, “Mrs. Macron’s only intention was to reassure an artist… She does, however, disapprove of the radical methods used to prevent an artist from performing on stage.”
The feminist organization “Nous Toutes” (translated as “All of Us”) responded strongly, condemning venues that host individuals accused of sexual violence and asserting, “It is a public insult to the victims.” They emphasized their support for victims and their firm stance against those accused of such crimes. The ongoing controversy stems from Abittan’s complicated legal history; a 2021 rape allegation against him was eventually dismissed due to a lack of evidence, a ruling upheld in early 2023.
Criticism of Brigitte Macron’s comments has come from various political figures, including former French President François Hollande, who called her remark “vulgar.” Conversely, some on the political far-right, like National Rally lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy, defended her, arguing that the conversation was private and taken out of context.
This incident reflects the ongoing tensions in France surrounding issues of sexual violence, feminism, and the public discourse around such contentious topics. As more discussions unfold, it illustrates the complexities involved in addressing these societal challenges while navigating personal interactions in the public eye.