French First Lady Brigitte Macron is facing a legal complaint after referring to feminist protesters as “stupid bitches” in a private conversation at a Paris theater. The incident occurred earlier this month when a group of feminist activists disrupted a show by actor-comedian Ary Abittan, who had previously been accused of rape. Although the case against Abittan was dropped due to lack of evidence, the activists protested his performance, prompting Macron’s comments.

A video clip of the conversation, which has since been deleted, shows Macron attempting to calm Abittan’s nerves after the disruption. However, her choice of words has sparked widespread criticism from politicians, activists, and figures in the film industry. Macron has apologized for the remarks, describing them as “private” comments.

A group of feminist associations has filed a complaint against Macron for public insult, citing the remarks as an attack on 343 women and associations. The complaint argues that Macron’s words were not only offensive but also undermined the feminist movement. The French presidency has defended Macron’s comments, stating that she was trying to criticize the radical methods used by the protesters.

Under French law, the president’s spouse does not have legal immunity, but the laws against public insult only apply to remarks made in public. It is unclear whether Macron’s privately spoken comments, which were later leaked online, meet this threshold. If found guilty, Macron could face a small fine for a lesser offense.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about digital harassment and the treatment of public figures. Macron has previously been the target of online conspiracy theories falsely claiming she is transgender, which led to a court ruling fining the originators of the rumor. The Hysterical Knitters, a feminist group, noted that feminist organizations had supported Macron in the past due to the relentless harassment she faced.

The complaint against Macron highlights the challenges of balancing free speech with respect for public figures and the need to protect individuals from harassment and insult. As the case progresses, it will be important to consider the context and implications of Macron’s comments, as well as the broader issues of online harassment and the treatment of feminist activists.