Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, sparked controversy after allegedly referring to feminist activists as “stupid bitches” in response to their protest against actor Ary Abittan, who has faced rape allegations in the past. Footage from backstage at the Folies Bergere in Paris on Sunday captured Mrs. Macron’s remarks after four activists disrupted Abittan’s show while chanting “Abittan rapist.”
Abittan, 51, was previously accused of rape in 2021, but the case was dismissed earlier this year due to insufficient evidence to pursue charges. The allegations have stirred significant debate within the French cultural landscape.
While attending the show with her daughter Tiphaine Auziere, Mrs. Macron was overheard expressing her concerns about the protest tactics employed by the group Nous Toutes. Following the incident, a member of her team clarified that her comments were directed at the activists’ “radical method.” The protests have drawn criticism from various political figures, highlighting the delicate balance between activism and the treatment of women in the context of ongoing sexual harassment and assault discussions.
Actress Judith Godreche, a prominent feminist advocate who has accused two directors of abuse, reacted to Mrs. Macron’s remarks by embracing the insult as a hashtag in her social media posts, showcasing solidarity with the movement.
The backlash against Mrs. Macron’s comments was swift, with politicians denouncing her language as highly inappropriate and sexist, including Marine Tondelier, the head of the French Greens, and former President Francois Hollande, who stressed that discussions about violence against women require more respect and sensitivity.
Abittan’s return to the stage comes amid a broader cultural reckoning in France, where prominent figures in the arts and entertainment have faced allegations of sexual misconduct, spurred by the #MeToo movement. Notably, actor Gérard Depardieu, who has also been implicated in similar controversies, is awaiting trial on charges of rape.
This incident reflects the ongoing societal tensions surrounding issues of sexual assault, activism, and the responses of public figures to gender-based protests. The conversation continues to evolve as voices within both the feminist movement and political arena call for a reevaluation of how such matters are addressed in public discourse.