Feminists outraged at video of French first lady’s outburst against activists

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron wait for China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Elysee Palace, Monday, May 6, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Warning: This story contains strong language and mentions sexual assault

Feminists expressed outrage Monday after footage circulated of Monday of France’s first lady Brigitte Macron using a slur against activists who disrupted the show of an actor-comedian who had once been accused of rape.

The first lady’s team said she had intended to criticize their “radical method” of protest.

Activists on Saturday interrupted the stand-up show of 51-year-old Ary Abittan, wearing masks of the actor bearing the word “rapist” and shouting “Abittan rapist”.

A woman in 2021 accused the actor of rape but in 2023 investigators dropped the case, citing lack of evidence.

Brigitte Macron on Sunday went to see the show with her daughter Tiphaine Auziere, and spoke with Abittan before he went on stage, according to a video published by local media Public on Monday.

“I’m scared,” Abittan is heard saying in the clip.

“If there are any stupid b****es we’ll kick them out,” Brigitte Macron is heard to jokingly respond, using a vulgar expression in French.

The feminist group behind Saturday’s action, #NousToutes (literally “All of us”) on social media turned the insult into a hashtag and many posts shared it in a show of support.

Among those using it was actor Judith Godreche, who has become a feminist icon since accusing two directors of sexually abusing her when she was a minor and calling for an end to such behaviour in France’s cultural sector.

“I too am a stupid b****,” she posted on Instagram.

An activist who took part in the action, and who gave the pseudonym of Gwen to avoid repercussions, said the collective was “profoundly shocked and scandalized” by Brigitte Macron’s language.

“It’s yet another insult to victims and feminist groups,” she said.

The first lady’s team argued her words should be seen as “a critique of the radical method employed by those who disrupted the show”.

“Brigitte Macron does not approve of this radical method,” a member of her team told AFP.

France has been rocked by a series of accusations of rape and sexual assault against well-known cultural figures in recent years.

Screen icon Gerard Depardieu was in May convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, and is to stand trial charged with raping an actor in 2018. He denies any wrongdoing.

French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023 had expressed admiration for Depardieu, and said at the time the actor was the target of a “manhunt” and he stood behind the presumption of innocence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.