On Monday, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron moved to downplay speculation surrounding an awkward moment between the President and First Lady Brigitte Macron, captured as he arrived in Vietnam to begin a week-long tour of Southeast Asia.
Video footage from the Associated Press, filmed in Hanoi on Sunday evening, shows President Macron appearing at the door of the aircraft. Shortly after, two arms—identified as belonging to Brigitte Macron—reach out from the left side and seem to push the President’s face, briefly startling him.
French President Macron’s wife Brigitte Macron allegedly slaps him in the face. pic.twitter.com/H2W8MgY7vA
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) May 26, 2025
The First Lady’s full figure is obscured by the aircraft fuselage, making it difficult to discern her expression or the intent behind the gesture. President Macron quickly regains composure, waves to onlookers, and descends the steps to attend an official welcome by Vietnamese officials. Brigitte Macron, who walks beside him, notably does not take his offered arm.
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Despite the clip being only a few seconds long, it quickly gained traction online, particularly among critics of the President. The Élysée Palace initially cast doubt on the authenticity of the footage but later confirmed it was real. A presidential aide described the interaction as a “harmless squabble,” calling it a light-hearted moment between the couple. “They were joking around, decompressing before the start of the trip,” the official explained.
Another source from the President’s entourage expressed frustration over the attention the clip received, blaming “pro-Russian” social media accounts for promoting conspiracy theories. “It didn’t take much to fuel the conspiracy mills,” the official said.
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President Macron’s visit to Vietnam is the first stop on a broader Southeast Asian tour aimed at positioning France as a strategic partner in a region where China and the United States continue to vie for influence. His itinerary also includes visits to Indonesia and Singapore in the coming days.