Brigitte Macron, France’s first lady, has become the focus of a heated national debate after a video surfaced showing her using a derogatory term to describe feminist protesters backstage at the famed Folies Bergère Theatre in Paris. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday, December 7, 2025, has sparked strong reactions from politicians, activists, and the public, shining a spotlight on France’s ongoing struggle with sexual violence allegations and the responsibilities of public figures.
The video in question captures a private conversation between Brigitte Macron and Ary Abittan, a well-known French actor and humorist. Abittan, who had previously faced rape allegations—a case that was ultimately dismissed due to insufficient evidence—was preparing for a performance at the theater. The previous night, December 6, feminist activists had interrupted his show, loudly chanting, “Abittan, rapist!” as a form of protest. The activists, representing the group Nous Toutes (translated as “All of Us”), said their actions were meant to challenge what they described as the “culture of impunity” surrounding sexual violence in France.
According to Devdiscourse, the video shows Macron asking Abittan how he was feeling before his performance. He reportedly replied that he was scared, referencing the disruption from the night before. In response, Macron made a derogatory and sexist reference to the women protesters, stating, “We’ll toss them out.” This remark, though made backstage and seemingly intended to reassure Abittan, quickly ignited controversy once the footage became public.
Her office swiftly issued a statement attempting to clarify her intentions. “As the video shows, Mrs. Macron’s only intention was to reassure an artist who, in his dressing room before going on stage, had just told her, ‘I’m scared,’ because his show had been disrupted the previous evening. In no way is she attacking a cause. She does, however, disapprove of the radical methods used to prevent an artist from performing on stage, as was the case on Saturday night,” her office explained, as reported by Devdiscourse and The Press Association.
Despite this explanation, the backlash was swift and multifaceted. On the political left, critics—including former French president François Hollande—condemned Macron’s language and called for an apology. Speaking to broadcaster RTL, Hollande remarked, “There’s a problem of vulgarity.” This sentiment was echoed by other opponents of President Emmanuel Macron, who argued that the first lady’s words were not only inappropriate but also symptomatic of a broader issue in French society regarding the treatment of sexual violence allegations and the normalization of sexist attitudes.
Feminist group Nous Toutes, which organized the protest at Abittan’s performance, issued a strong statement on Instagram. “We denounce venues that roll out a red carpet for men accused of rape, normalizing sexist and sexual violence. It is a public insult to the victims. Victims, we believe you. Rapists, we do not forgive you!” the group declared. Nous Toutes also criticized the Folies Bergère and similar venues for supporting artists who have faced such allegations, regardless of the legal outcome.
The controversy has also reignited debate over the handling of sexual violence allegations in France. The rape accusation against Ary Abittan, which dates back to 2021, was terminated in 2024 due to insufficient evidence—an outcome that was confirmed on appeal in January 2025, according to French media and both Devdiscourse and The Press Association. While Abittan has not been convicted of any crime, feminist activists argue that the legal system’s high evidentiary standards often leave victims without recourse and accused individuals returning to public life with little scrutiny.
Not everyone, however, viewed Macron’s remarks in the same light. On the far-right, National Rally politician Jean-Philippe Tanguy defended the first lady, arguing that her comments were made in a private setting and should not be judged as public statements. “If each of us were filmed backstage saying things with friends, I think there would be plenty to comment on,” Tanguy told broadcaster BFMTV. “All of this is very hypocritical.” He further contended that the video had been “stolen,” suggesting that the uproar was more about political point-scoring than genuine concern for the issues at hand.
The incident has laid bare the deep divisions in French society over questions of privacy, accountability, and the appropriate response to sexual violence allegations. Some argue that public figures like Brigitte Macron have a responsibility to set an example, especially given their influence and the symbolic weight of their words. Others maintain that everyone is entitled to private conversations, and that candid moments should not be weaponized for political purposes.
Meanwhile, the debate over how to handle allegations of sexual violence continues to simmer. Feminist groups like Nous Toutes insist that the French legal system and cultural institutions too often side with the accused, perpetuating what they describe as a “culture of impunity.” Their protests seek to draw attention to the challenges faced by victims in coming forward and the societal tendency to downplay or dismiss their experiences.
For venues like the Folies Bergère, the controversy has raised uncomfortable questions about the role of cultural institutions in such debates. Should theaters and other public spaces host performers who have faced serious allegations, even if those allegations have not resulted in convictions? Or does doing so send a message that accusations of sexual violence are not taken seriously?
The Macron incident also highlights the broader context of #MeToo and similar movements in France, which have gained momentum in recent years but still face significant resistance. While some progress has been made in raising awareness and changing attitudes, critics say that much work remains to be done to ensure that victims are heard and that those accused of wrongdoing are held to account, regardless of their status or connections.
As the public debate continues, Brigitte Macron’s remarks serve as a reminder of the power—and potential pitfalls—of words spoken in moments of candor. Whether viewed as an unfortunate slip, a reflection of deeper societal issues, or simply a private exchange blown out of proportion, the incident has undoubtedly reignited France’s ongoing conversation about sexual violence, accountability, and the responsibilities of those in the public eye.
With emotions still running high and no easy answers in sight, the controversy surrounding Brigitte Macron is likely to reverberate in French politics and society for some time to come.
