Macron Attacks Bolsonaro for Sexist Jibe at French First Lady

[Judi Lynn]

By Helene Fouquet
August 26, 2019, 7:20 AM CDT Updated on August 26, 2019, 9:01 AM CDT
- Brazilian and French leaders have clashed over Amazon fires
- Macron has threatened to block EU-Mercosur trade deal


A feud between the presidents of Brazil and France over Amazon fires plumbed new depths after Jair Bolsonaro made a sarcastic comment on a social media post mocking the French first lady’s physical appearance, drawing an irate response from Emmanuel Macron.

The French leader said Bolsonaro’s comment on the post, which compared Brigitte Macron to his own, younger partner, was “extraordinarily disrespectful to my wife” and added he hoped the Brazilian people would soon have a president worthy of them.



“This is sad,” Macron said. “It’s sad for him and for the Brazilian people. Brazilian women probably feel ashamed to hear that from their president.” Macron is famously protective of his wife and has been known to go after French media in the past if he feels they have intruded on her privacy or overstepped in their coverage of her.

Brazil’s President Disapproval Rating Soars During Amazon Fires

On Sunday, Bolsonaro commented on a Facebook post that showed photos of 66-year-old Brigitte alongside the Brazilian president’s 37-year-old partner, entitled “Do you understand now why Macron is attacking Bolsonaro?”

More:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-26/macron-attacks-bolsonaro-for-sexist-jibe-at-french-first-lady