France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is facing a formal legal complaint after a video emerged showing her using a sexist slur to describe feminist protesters at a Paris theatre.
Legal Action Over 'Private' Remarks
More than 300 women, specifically 343 in a nod to a historic French feminist petition, have filed a complaint against Macron for public insult. The action was initiated by women's rights groups after footage showed the First Lady backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre. She was speaking with comedian Ary Abittan, whose show had been disrupted the previous night by activists shouting "Abittan, rapist!".
In the video, after Abittan expressed feeling scared, Macron referred to the protesters as "sales connes" – which translates as "stupid bitches" – and said if they reappeared, "we'll toss them out".
Apology and Backlash
Following the video's circulation, Brigitte Macron issued a partial apology via the media outlet Brut. "I am sorry if I hurt women victims," she stated, while emphasising that the remarks were "private" comments. She added, "I can't regret them. True, I am the wife of the president of the republic, but I am above all myself. And so when I am in private, I can let myself go in a way that is not totally proper."
This defence was swiftly criticised by the complainants. Juliette Chapelle, a lawyer for the feminist groups, told France Inter radio, "She's France's first lady, her words matter." Chapelle argued the incident revealed a disconnect between Macron's public advocacy for women and her private sentiments.
Symbolic Numbers and Celebrity Support
The number of complainants, 343, is deeply symbolic in France, referencing the 1971 'Manifesto of the 343' in which women publicly admitted to having illegal abortions. The feminist groups behind the complaint include Les Triconeuses Hystériques, formed during a major rape trial.
In a show of solidarity, several French celebrities have adopted the insult hurled by the First Lady. Actor and #MeToo figure Judith Godrèche posted on social media: "Me too – I'm also a salle conne and I support all the others." The hashtag #salesconnes has been used widely online to support the protesters.
The protest at Abittan's show was organised by the group Nous Toutes to challenge what they call "the culture of impunity" around sexual violence in France. A 2021 rape allegation against Abittan was dropped by magistrates in 2024 due to insufficient evidence, a decision upheld on appeal this January.
