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Brigitte Macron’s Backstage Slur Draws National Backlash in France

A viral clip from backstage with Ary Abittan shows the First Lady reacting to protests, with her office calling it criticism of disruptive tactics.

Overview

  • The weekly magazine Public published the Folies Bergère clip showing Macron saying “sales connes” about masked activists who had disrupted Ary Abittan’s show.
  • Macron’s office told AFP the remark targeted protesters’ “radical methods,” not their cause, and said she was trying to reassure the comedian before his performance.
  • #NousToutes reposted the video under the reclaimed hashtag #salesconnes, while the feminist group Les Tricoteuses hystériques announced plans to sue for public insult.
  • Politicians and public figures condemned the language, including François Hollande, Green leader Marine Tondelier, and Assembly speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet, who called the wording unworthy.
  • French outlets reported the footage was filmed and circulated by PR agency Bestimage, and a government spokesperson signaled that no apology from the First Lady is planned.