Brigitte Macron, France's First Lady, made a private comment that caused a big public reaction. This has made discussions about sexual violence and protests more intense. The problem started with a video from the news site *Public*. It showed Mrs. Macron using a bad word for feminist activists. They had interrupted a comedy show in Paris. She later said their protest method was "radical." This made people who disagree with her more upset.
The incident happened at a show by comedian Ary Abittan. He was accused of rape in 2021. The investigation stopped last year. Feminist group "Nous Toutes" protested at the show. They wore masks of the comedian with "rapist" written on them. They stopped the show to protest what they called a "culture of impunity." This means people accused of sexual assault are not punished.
The next day, Brigitte Macron spoke to Mr. Abittan backstage. She did not know she was being filmed. She said, "If there are any stupid bitches, we’ll kick them out." The video appeared on Monday. People reacted strongly. On Tuesday, her team said the First Lady did not like the activists' "radical method." They said it blocked artistic freedom.
This explanation did not calm people down. Instead, many people supported the activists. The insult has been used on social media. The hashtag #salesconnes is now a symbol of protest. Famous actor Judith Godrèche supports the activists. She also made allegations of sexual assault. Comedian Florence Mendez joined her. They are against the insult of feminist protests.
This event is more than a simple mistake. It shows deep disagreements in society. It highlights the difference between official views on sexual violence and activists' demands for action. It also makes us think about the language used by public figures. It suggests a gap between the President's office and many voters. The hashtag is still popular. Celebrities are showing their support. This controversy will keep discussions about power, protest, and public language alive in France.