French comedian Ary Abittan in Paris, July 3, 2025. LIONEL GUERICOLAS-MPP/SIPA
"I am a stupid bitch": With this slogan, numerous French actresses, singers and authors have expressed support for members of the feminist group Brigitte Macron described in those words at comedian Ary Abittan's show in Paris on Sunday, December 7. The previous evening, four young women from the movement #NousToutes had interrupted Abittan's solo show, wearing masks depicting the actor with the word "rapist" written on it and chanting "Abittan rapist."
Macron's words, recorded by a photographer from the agency run by Mimi Marchand, a prominent figure in celebrity journalism and close associate of the presidential couple, reignited a debate around the legal case surrounding rape accusations against Abittan. The procedure had ended with a dismissal of the case, a decision upheld at the Paris Court of Appeal last January. Feminist activists have questioned the decision, emphasizing that the plaintiff's account was supported by material evidence.
Caroline Toby, Abittan's lawyer, who did not respond to requests from Le Monde, told AFP agency in a statement on Tuesday that "the seven magistrates who ruled on this case were unanimous in finding him innocent." She asserted that "the case is closed and there is no reason for [Abittan] to be in such a situation."
