Brigitte Macron faces backlash for using slur against feminist protesters
PARIS (AP) — Brigitte Macron He faced criticism after video emerged of him using the insult to condemn feminist protesters on Tuesday.
In the scene filmed on Sunday, France’s First Lady was seen backstage at the Folies Bergère Theater in Paris arguing with French actor and humorist Ary Abittan, who has previously been accused of rape, before his performance. The previous night, feminist campaigners closed the demonstration with chants of “Abittan, rapist!”
Before Sunday’s performance, Brigitte Macron asked him how he was feeling. When she said she was scared, he made a derogatory and sexist reference to women, adding: “We’re going to throw them out.”
Her office said in a statement that she was trying to calm her nerves: “As seen in the video, Ms. Macron’s sole intention was to reassure a performer who told her ‘I’m scared’ in the dressing room before going on stage, as her show was interrupted the previous evening.”
“He is not attacking a cause in any way. However, he does not condone the radical methods used to prevent the artist from taking the stage, as was the case on Saturday night.”
Feminist campaign group “Nous Toutes” (“All of Us”) said its activists blocked Abittan’s demonstration to protest what it called a “culture of impunity”. sexual violence in France.
According to French media, judges ended the investigation into the 2021 rape allegation against Abittan in 2024 due to lack of evidence, and this decision was upheld on appeal in January this year.
Nous Toutes said in a statement on Instagram: “We condemn venues that roll out the red carpet for men accused of rape and normalize sexism and sexual violence. This is a clear insult to the victims. Victims, we believe you. Rapists, we do not forgive you!”
anti-president Emmanuel Macron The left wing of French politics criticized his wife’s use of a sexist slur, and some said she should apologize.
Among the critics was former French President François Hollande. Speaking to broadcaster RTL, Hollande said: “There is a problem of vulgarity.”
But on the French far right, National Rally Member of Parliament Jean-Philippe Tanguy said Brigitte Macron’s comments were delivered privately and were “stolen”.
“If each of us were filmed talking about things with our friends backstage, I think there would be a lot to comment on,” the broadcaster told BFMTV. “This is all so hypocritical.”
