I don't see any actual rebuttal there. Barring having actual recording equipment in the 18th century, nobody can truly say whether she said or didn't say the words.
Also she was 10 years old at the time, which actually makes it even more likely for her to blurt out something like this. Children are quite naive as I think we all know.
I've read other articles on the topic and emerged unconvinced from them as well because the crux of their "evidence" was basically "a wide consensus". Hrm. "A wide consensus" amongst a small group of scientists where deviating from the accepted opinions of the majority bears an existential threat to one's entire life work and career is... shall we say, not convincing.
According to the article linked above, it may have come from Jean-Jacques Rousseau Michele earlier, when Marie Antoinette was 10, and living in Austria. The actual quote may date back to the 1660’s.
Sure, Marie-Antoinette likely never uttered those words, but that phrase aptly captured the sentiment of the people regarding the apathy of the ruling class as evidenced by its contemporary use.
It's a translation problem actually. For the French, there is no mystery there. She said "brioche" but because most cultures didn't have brioches yet, it was usually translated as "cake".
The point was that, price of simple bread was government-regulated, so producing and selling it lost money to bakers and they either didn't do that at all when they could get away with it, or only did in minimum quantities that got quickly sold out. Prices of brioche, as a higher grade product, were not regulated, and brioche was always available.
So really, that comment was more of pun illustrating how lame government price control policies were, rather than an indication of lack of touch with ordinary people's lives.
This is an interesting reading, but it's hardly the generally accepted interpretation. Typically, this is read to reflect the flagrant indifference or ignorance of the ruling class for the plight of the French people.
And ultimately, that common reading is what is being referred to in the comment that spurred this thread. Regardless of the historical minutiae regarding the quote, it's making reference to the anger of a country's people when the cost of living rises and is perceived to be met with indifference.
Also she was 10 years old at the time, which actually makes it even more likely for her to blurt out something like this. Children are quite naive as I think we all know.
I've read other articles on the topic and emerged unconvinced from them as well because the crux of their "evidence" was basically "a wide consensus". Hrm. "A wide consensus" amongst a small group of scientists where deviating from the accepted opinions of the majority bears an existential threat to one's entire life work and career is... shall we say, not convincing.