On December 16, 2025, France’s first lady Brigitte Macron appeared in a video interview that sparked a national debate. In the clip, she explained that the remarks she made about feminist protesters were “clumsy” and intended for a private setting.
The Incident
Earlier this month, Brigitte was backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris with French actor and humorist Ary Abittan. Abittan had been scheduled to perform a show that night, but the previous evening feminist campaigners had disrupted the performance, shouting “Abittan, rapist!” Brigitte asked the actor how he was feeling. When he said he was scared, she described the protesters as “dirty b – – – – – s” and added, “We’ll toss them out.”
The Slur
The phrase used by the first lady was a derogatory and sexist reference to women. She later said that her language was “very direct” and that she was trying to reassure Abittan in that moment. The comments were captured on film and later circulated online, leading to a swift backlash.
Public Backlash
The remarks drew criticism from campaigners against sexual and sexist violence as well as political opponents of President Emmanuel Macron. Many condemned the use of a sexist slur in any context, especially by a public figure. The backlash was amplified by the fact that the comments were made in a private setting that was nonetheless recorded.
Interview with Brut
In a rare public declaration, Brigitte spoke to the online media outlet Brut. She said, “I completely understand” that some people were shocked, but added that the remarks “absolutely wasn’t meant to be public” and that she had not been speaking as the French leader’s spouse. She added, “I am not always the wife of the president of the Republic. I also have a private life and this was a private moment. I am sorry if I hurt women victims. It’s them and just them that I am thinking of,” and that she would not have used those terms in public.
Context of Abittan’s Case
Abittan had previously been accused of rape in 2021. Magistrates terminated the investigation in 2024 because of a lack of evidence, a decision that was confirmed on appeal in January. Activists from the feminist campaign group “Nous Toutes” disrupted his show to protest what they described as “the culture of impunity” around sexual violence in France.
Brigitte’s Comments on Artists and Censorship
She criticized the protesters for targeting Abittan, stating, “I cannot bear that a performance is interrupted. Someone is on stage. He is trying to give everything that he can give. How does he carry on afterward? What is the meaning of this censorship being placed on artists? It’s something that I don’t understand. We aren’t judges.” She further explained that she was trying to reassure the actor, saying, “I reassured him certainly in a way that was clumsy. But I had no other words at my disposal at that moment. And regardless, I think we have a right to speak and the right to think.”
Key Takeaways
- Brigitte Macron defended a sexist slur she used on feminist protesters as “clumsy” and private.
- The remarks were made backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris when Abittan’s show was disrupted by activists.
- The incident sparked backlash from feminist groups and political opponents, highlighting tensions over language and public conduct.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance public figures must maintain between personal expression and public responsibility, especially in a climate where gender-based criticism is closely scrutinized.
