Brigitte Macron filmed threatening to ‘throw out’ any ‘stupid b*****s’ | World | News

The First Lady of France was filmed threatening to “throw out” feminist activists and calling them “stupid b*****s” after they interrupted a show. Brigitte Macron made the comments backstage to French actor Ary Abittan, after four actors disrupted the historic music hall, Folies Bergere, the night before. The activists were chanting “Abittan rapist” after the 51-year-old was previously accused of rape by a woman in 2021. 

However, investigators dropped the case due to a lack of evidence in 2023. Footage of the interaction between Mrs Macron and Mr Abittan, taken by French magazine Public, shows the actor saying “I’m scared” before his performance. In response, Mrs Macron said: “If there are any stupid b*****s, we’ll throw them out. Especially masked bandits.”

Mr Avittan responded: “That’s what I did yesterday.”

In light of the video, Mrs Macron’s team has said she criticised their “radical method” of protests. Speaking to AFP news agency on her behalf, a spokesperson said: “Brigitte Macron does not approve of this radical method.”

The protest group Nous Toutes, meaning “All of us” has turned Mrs Macron’s insult “sales connes” (which translates to “stupid b*****s”) into a hashtag.

Many celebrities and public figures have adopted the phrase to express solidarity with women, denouncing Mrs Macron’s use of words.

Feminist figure Judith Godreche has used it, posting on Instagram: “I too am a stupid b—-”. She gained traction after accusing two directors of sexually abusing her when she was a minor, and has since called for an end to abuse behaviour in the cultural industry in France.

Marine Tondelier, head of the French Greens, has also hit out at the phrase used, calling the remark “extremely serious” on BFMTV. 

Conservative senator Agnes Evren said the comment was “very sexist”, and Francois Hollande, the former French president, told RTL on Tuesday: “When it comes to women fighting against violence against women, we don’t speak that way.”

Mr Abittan is currently on his first tour since the rape case against him was thrown out. Justice officials concluded they could not find sufficient grounds to determine the sexual encounter had been forced. 

The actor said the interaction was consensual and has denied all wrongdoing.