French First Lady Brigitte Macron Apologizes for Controversial Remark Amid Feminist Backlash

Brigitte Macron issued an apology on Monday following her use of a controversial slur against activists that generated significant feminist outrage.

The French first lady addressed the incident with media outlet Brut, stating, "I am sorry if I hurt women victims," while describing her captured remarks as "private" comments. The 72-year-old added, "I can't regret them. True, I am the wife of the president of the republic, but I am above all myself. And when I am in private, I can let myself go in a way that is not totally proper."

The controversy stems from comments Macron made backstage at a December 7 stand-up performance by French actor Ary Abittan, who had previously been accused of rape but not formally charged. During the exchange, which was recorded on video, she referred to activists who disrupted the show as "stupid b**ches" ("sales connes" in French).

Following the video's publication the next day, the hashtag #SalesConnes began trending across social media platforms, with several prominent figures including Oscar winner Marion Cotillard adopting it in their posts.

Despite efforts by the first lady's office to characterize her words as a "radical method" of criticizing the protesters, public backlash continued unabated. Greve Feministe, a collective representing approximately 60 feminist organizations, demanded a public apology.

The activists who interrupted Abittan's comedy show had worn masks bearing his image with the word "rapist" and chanted "Abittan rapist" during the performance.

Abittan faced rape allegations in 2021 from a woman who claimed he forced her into a non-consensual sexual act. Investigators dropped the case against him in 2023, a decision later upheld by an appeals court in January.

In the aftermath of the #MeToo movement, France has witnessed numerous accusations of sexual assault and rape against notable cultural figures. Screen icon Gerard Depardieu was convicted in May of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021 and faces an upcoming trial for allegedly raping an actor in 2018, charges he continues to deny.

President Emmanuel Macron previously commented on Depardieu's situation in 2023, suggesting the actor was the target of a "manhunt" and emphasizing his belief in the presumption of innocence.