Brigitte Macron called feminist activists "dirty bitches" for interrupting comedian Ary Abittan's show, sparking strong outrage from the left and feminist circles. Numerous celebrities, including actresses and singers, showed solidarity using the hashtag #JeSuisUneSaleConne. Her entourage downplays the remarks as criticism of radical methods.
On December 7, 2025, in a video filmed backstage at the Folies-Bergère in Paris, Brigitte Macron angrily reacted to feminist activists from #NousToutes interrupting comedian Ary Abittan's performance. The protesters opposed Abittan, who faced rape accusations in 2021 but received a dismissal of charges confirmed on appeal in January. The First Lady labeled them "dirty bitches," remarks leaked accidentally by the Bestimage agency and picked up by celebrity press.
Forty-eight hours later, outrage endures. On social media, the hashtag #JeSuisUneSaleConne gained traction among prominent figures like Judith Godrèche ("Me too, I'm a dirty bitch. And I support all the others"), Marion Cotillard ("I'm a dirty bitch and proud of it"), and Alexandra Lamy ("Now we understand the lack of budget for associations"). Camélia Jordana, Clara Luciani, Angèle, Camille Kouchner, and Andréa Bescond also backed the activists, praising their fight against sexual violence.
From the government, spokesperson Maud Bregeon defended Brigitte Macron on France 2, stating the comments were spontaneous in a private setting and targeted the disruption of a presumed innocent person. "Leave Brigitte Macron alone," she urged, highlighting international coverage by outlets like The Guardian, The New York Times, and El Pais. Yaël Braun-Pivet, Assembly president, called the language "quite unworthy" while emphasizing the feminist struggle's importance and presumption of innocence.
Brigitte Macron's circle stresses criticism of the masked radicals' methods, not the cause itself. The Grève féministe collective, uniting about 60 associations, condemns it as legitimizing hatred toward feminists and demands public apologies plus clear condemnation of sexist violence. The incident echoes past controversies, such as Emmanuel Macron's 2023 support for Gérard Depardieu, later convicted of sexual assaults.
