Brigitte Macron faces lawsuit after being filmed using sexist slur at Paris theatre

French First Lady Brigitte Macron is facing criticism for using a sexist slur against feminist activists who protested a performance by actor Ary Abittan, who was previously accused of rape. The incident occurred backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris on Sunday, following a disruption of Abittan's show the previous night by activists protesting the "culture of impunity" around sexual violence. Macron's team claims she intended to criticize the activists' "radical method" of protest when she made the remark. The video, published by local media, shows Macron using a vulgar expression in French, roughly translated as "stupid bitches," in reference to potential disruptors. The feminist group "Nous Toutes" has since turned the insult into a hashtag to show support and protest Macron's statement.

French First Lady Brigitte Macron is facing criticism after a video surfaced showing her using a derogatory term to describe feminist protesters. The incident occurred backstage at a theater where Macron was speaking with comedian Ary Abittan, who was accused of rape in 2021, though the charges were later dismissed. Macron used the slur while jokingly vowing to protect Abittan from protesters who had disrupted his show. The video sparked outrage from politicians and feminist activists, particularly the group #NousToutes, who turned the insult into a widely shared hashtag. A spokesperson for the French presidency defended Macron, stating she intended only to reassure the artist and condemns radical protest methods.

Brigitte Macron is facing criticism for using a sexist slur, "sales connes," to describe feminist protesters who disrupted a performance by actor Ary Abittan in Paris. The incident occurred backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre on Sunday, where Macron was filmed speaking with Abittan, who was previously accused of rape. Feminist group Nous Toutes disrupted Abittan's show to protest the "culture of impunity" surrounding sexual violence, despite the investigation into the rape allegation being dropped due to lack of evidence. Macron's office stated she was trying to reassure a nervous Abittan and disapproves of radical methods preventing artists from performing. Politicians on the left and celebrities have condemned Macron's language, with some demanding an apology and others showing solidarity with the protesters.

Brigitte Macron is facing backlash in France for calling feminist activists "stupid bitches" after they protested a performance by comedian Ary Abittan, who was previously accused of rape. The activists, wearing masks of Abittan, disrupted his show on Saturday, prompting Macron's comment before his Sunday performance, which was captured on video. While Macron's team stated her words were intended to critique the activists' "radical method," the phrase has been adopted by French celebrities and feminists online to denounce Macron's language and show support for the protesters. Nous Toutes, the organization behind the protest, fights against violence towards women. Several actresses and comedians have declared themselves "stupid bitches" in solidarity with the group and in support of the woman who accused Abittan.