Overview
- Weekly magazine Public published footage from the Folies Bergère showing Macron reassuring Ary Abittan and saying they would eject any “sales connes,” adding “especially masked bandits.”
- #NousToutes activists had interrupted Abittan’s performance the previous night wearing masks of his face marked “rapist” and chanting accusations from the audience.
- Abittan faced a 2021 rape allegation, but the case concluded with a non-lieu that was confirmed on appeal in January 2025.
- The collective shared the clip and said they were shocked, as figures including actor Judith Godrèche echoed the hashtag #SalesConnes in support of the protesters.
- The fallout broadened politically, with François Hollande calling the episode a matter of vulgarity, France Insoumise urging Emmanuel Macron’s resignation, and Green leader Marine Tondelier condemning the language while affirming the right to protest.