The controversy unfolded earlier in December, when stand-up comedian Ary Abittan, who was accused of rape by a former partner in 2021, performed in Paris.
In a conversation with Brigitte Macron, which was captured on film, Abittan said before the performance that he was worried that he would be interrupted by feminist protesters since this had happened the night before.
"If any such fucking hags appear ("sales connes" in French), we will kick them out," Brigitte Macron replied at the time, according to media in Paris.
The comment led to a storm of criticism. Now three feminist organizations, including one that calls itself "The Hysterical Knitters," have sued the first lady for "public insult," reports the British newspaper The Guardian.
I am sorry if I have hurt victims, says Brigitte Macron, but adds that the comments were "private."
"I cannot regret them. It is true that I am the wife of the President of the Republic, but I am above all myself. And when I am in private I can let loose in a way that is not entirely correct," she tells the news outlet Brut.
