What's happened
Videos show Brigitte Macron jokingly using a sexist slur about activists protesting her husband's ally, Ary Abittan. The incident sparks criticism from politicians and feminists, highlighting tensions over protest methods and Macron's stance on gender issues amid recent sexual assault allegations against cultural figures.
What's behind the headline?
The Macron incident exposes the fragile balance between free protest and respect for victims. Macron's wife’s language, seen as vulgar and dismissive, risks undermining Macron’s long-standing advocacy for gender equality. The timing, shortly after high-profile sexual assault cases involving cultural figures like Gérard Depardieu, intensifies the controversy. The social media backlash, including feminist groups turning the insult into a hashtag, demonstrates the growing intolerance for sexist language from public figures. Politically, opponents on both the left and right criticize Macron’s handling, framing it as a failure to uphold feminist principles or as hypocrisy. This incident will likely deepen divisions over protest tactics and Macron’s commitment to gender issues, potentially impacting his political capital and public image. The controversy underscores the ongoing challenge France faces in addressing sexual violence and cultural accountability, with Macron’s personal and political reputation now intertwined with these debates.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Macron’s team defended her words as a critique of protest methods, emphasizing her disapproval of radical disruptions. The New York Times highlights the broader political fallout, noting the criticism from opposition figures and the context of Macron’s advocacy for gender equality. The Independent and France 24 detail the incident, emphasizing the viral nature of the video and the social media response, including feminist activists reclaiming the insult. All sources agree that the incident has sparked a significant public debate about language, protest, and gender politics in France, with Macron’s comments serving as a flashpoint in ongoing cultural tensions.
How we got here
The controversy stems from feminist protests disrupting Ary Abittan's show over allegations of sexual assault, which were dropped in 2023. Brigitte Macron was filmed backstage joking about removing protesters, using a sexist term. The incident occurs amid ongoing debates about sexual violence in France's cultural sector and Macron's public support for gender equality.
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Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron (French: [bʁiʒit maʁi klod makʁɔ̃]; née Trogneux [tʁɔɲø], previously Auzière [ozjɛːʁ]; born 13 April 1953) is a French former teacher. She is the wife of Emmanuel Macron, who has served as President of France an
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Judith Godrèche is a French actress and author. She has appeared in more than 30 films.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.