The phrase “Let them eat cake” is commonly attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the French Revolution. It is said to have been her response upon learning that the French peasants were suffering due to widespread bread shortages. However, there’s no evidence that Marie Antoinette said it.
In fact, the phrase “Let them eat cake” (or “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” in French) first appeared in the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his book Confessions, which was written before Marie Antoinette became queen. The statement has since become symbolic of the disconnect between the ruling classes and the everyday struggles of normal people, illustrating a lack of understanding or concern for those suffering from poverty and hunger.
Is proclaiming affordability to be a hoax the modern-day equivalent of suggesting let them eat cake?
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