Feminist Outcry Following Brigitte Macron's Remarks on Activists

Tue Dec 09 2025 19:38:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Brigitte Macron faces backlash after dismissive comments about activists protesting a comedian's show accused of rape, sparking a viral response on social media.

French first lady Brigitte Macron has ignited controversy with her remarks regarding feminist activists who interrupted a comedian's show. When confronted by protestors alleging the comedian's past sexual misconduct, Mrs. Macron was recorded saying, 'if there are any stupid bitches we'll kick them out'. This phrase has since been adopted by feminists and celebrities to denounce her comments and express solidarity with the protestors. Prominent figures have since rallied online, using the hashtag #salesconnes to highlight issues surrounding violence against women and support the feminist organization Nous Toutes, which organized the demonstration.

French celebrities and feminists have voiced their outrage at first lady Brigitte Macron's language about activists who had protested at a comedian's show.

Activists wearing masks of Ary Abittan interrupted his stand-up show on Saturday shouting 'Abittan rapist'. Abittan was accused of rape in 2021, but investigators later dropped the case, citing lack of evidence.

Mrs. Macron met Abittan before his performance on Sunday. In a video, he says he feels 'scared', to which Mrs. Macron responds 'if there are any stupid bitches we'll kick them out', before smiling and laughing.

Mrs. Macron's team told AFP news agency her words intended to 'critique the radical method' of the protest.

'Brigitte Macron does not approve of this radical method,' a member of her team added.

The words used by Macron, 'sales connes' (which translates to 'stupid bitches'), have since been adopted by celebrities and feminists online who denounced the first lady's actions and violence towards women.

The demonstration was organised by Nous Toutes, a French organisation that fights against violence towards women.

The majority of those using '#salesconnes' on social media are doing so to voice their support for the feminist group.

Actor Judith Godrèche - who herself has accused a film director of historical rape, which he denies - added her support.

'I too am a stupid bitch,' she wrote on social media, with Belgian comedian Florence Mendez also saying she was 'proud' to be one.

Actor and singer Nadège Beausson-Diagne also adopted the term, writing on Instagram: 'I too am a stupid bitch in summer, winter, spring, and autumn.'

She went on to voice her support for the 'courageous' woman who had accused Abittan of rape and for Nous Toutes, adding that the group will 'come back stronger to fight together against sexual violence'.

Actor Rachida Brakni also thanked the 'bitches' and tagged Nous Toutes in her post.

Stand-up comedian Marine Leonardi, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram: 'Feminists are never stupid bitches'.

Mrs. Macron had attended Abittan's show with her daughter.