In a follow-up interview with Brut, Brigitte Macron defends her right to speak freely in private but apologizes if her 'sales connes' comment hurt women victims of violence. This comes after widespread outrage over her December 7 remarks supporting comedian Ary Abittan against feminist protesters.
Following the backlash from her leaked December 7 backstage comment at the Folies Bergère—where she called feminist activists from the Nous Toutes collective 'sales connes' for interrupting Ary Abittan's show amid his cleared rape accusations—Brigitte Macron addressed the controversy in a Brut interview published Monday.
She upholds her 'right to speak' and 'right to think' in what she considered a private exchange with the comedian and a few others, stating, 'I do not regret having spoken,' as the words were not meant for the public. However, she acknowledges letting loose 'in a way that is absolutely not appropriate' outside official settings, emphasizing her private side beyond her role as first lady.
Expressing understanding for the left's upset and feminist outrage, she says she is 'sorry' if her words hurt 'women victims,' whom she prioritizes. She reaffirms her longstanding support for victims of sexual violence, a key presidential issue, amid France's national focus on violence against women.
