Viral Video: Brigitte Macron Appears to Lightly Slap President Emmanuel Macron
A surprising moment caught on video during French President Emmanuel Macron’s arrival in Vietnam has gone viral, sparking widespread reactions across social media platforms. The scene shows First Lady Brigitte Macron appearing to lightly slap her husband on the face as they were preparing to exit their plane in Hanoi, marking the start of a week-long tour across Southeast Asia.
The footage, captured by the Associated Press on Sunday evening at Hanoi airport, shows the airplane door opening with President Macron still inside. As he moves to step out, Brigitte’s hand appears to deliver a small slap—though she herself is not clearly visible from behind the door. The president seems briefly startled but quickly regains composure and steps out to greet the welcoming officials.
Observers noted another unusual moment as the couple began descending the airplane stairs. President Macron extended his hand as usual to his wife, but she did not take it, instead choosing to hold the stair rail herself. The clip gained traction especially among social media accounts critical of President Macron, fueling a wave of speculation and commentary ranging from claims of a marital dispute to playful interpretations of affection.
Initially, the Élysée Palace denied the authenticity of the video. However, it was later verified as real. A close aide to the president downplayed the incident, describing it as a minor exchange between a married couple. “It was a moment of tension release between the president and his wife before beginning the tour,” said the aide to traveling journalists.
The source also dismissed the negative commentary as a product of “conspiracy theorists,” particularly those sympathetic to pro-Russian narratives. “It was a moment of affection that was twisted and taken out of context,” the source said.
President Macron’s tour will take him across Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore as part of a week-long diplomatic effort in Southeast Asia.
