French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed rumors of a quarrel with his wife, Brigitte, following a viral video promoted by Russian state media and far-right groups. The video, shot by an Associated Press camera operator, shows Macron in the doorway of a plane in Hanoi at the start of a visit to Vietnam. His wife’s hand appears to shove him, causing him to step back before recovering and waving.
🔥🚨BREAKING: President Macron's wife slapped slapped him before getting off plane in Hanoi. pic.twitter.com/oSpVEZlHQ2
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) May 26, 2025
Macron explained the moment to reporters, stating that the gesture was playful and that they were “joking around, as we do quite often.” He further clarified that this was a lighthearted interaction before the official visit and dismissed any notions of conflict. “It wasn’t even a slap,” an Élysée Palace source added, calling the scene “a moment of closeness” between the couple.
The video was seized upon by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who mocked the situation on Telegram, suggesting that Macron had been “cheerfully” hit. The video, which circulated widely on Russian state TV and far-right social media accounts, also led to the spread of conspiratorial claims.
Macron, who has been the subject of various rumors, including false claims about drug use and confrontations with foreign leaders, called for calm and rejected the exaggerated narratives. He noted that such claims were often pushed by internet accounts familiar to both Russian and French extremists.
Amid the media controversy, the Macrons went on to sign multi-billion-euro deals with Vietnam, marking France’s first formal visit to the country in nearly a decade. The agreements included the purchase of 20 Airbus planes and collaborations in nuclear energy, defence, and other sectors.
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