French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected speculation of a dispute with his wife, Brigitte, after a video of their interaction in Vietnam went viral—amplified by Russian state media and far-right groups. The footage, captured by an Associated Press cameraman, shows Brigitte seemingly pushing Macron as they stood in a plane doorway during their Hanoi visit, briefly causing him to step back before waving to the crowd.
Macron later clarified to reporters that the moment was playful and typical of their relationship. “We were joking, as we often do,” he said, emphasizing it was a lighthearted gesture ahead of official duties. A source from the Élysée Palace echoed this, stating, “It wasn’t even a slap,” and described the moment as a display of closeness.
Read more: French President Macron slapped by wife during Vietnam visit
The clip drew mocking commentary from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova and spread rapidly across Russian state television and far-right social media accounts, fueling conspiracy theories.
Macron, who has faced numerous unfounded rumors—from drug use to diplomatic clashes—dismissed the hype, saying many such narratives are pushed by online actors linked to Russian and French extremists.
Despite the media stir, the Macrons continued their Vietnam visit, signing multi-billion-euro agreements that included the sale of 20 Airbus aircraft and partnerships in nuclear energy, defense, and other sectors—France’s first formal visit to the country in nearly ten years.
