During a Southeast Asia tour, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a viral video showing his wife, Brigitte, playfully pushing his face away as they exited a plane in Vietnam. Speaking to reporters in Hanoi, Macron dismissed the speculation surrounding the clip, highlighting the absurdity of the theories it has sparked. He clarified that the video was a genuine portrayal of a light-hearted moment between the couple, asserting that while the footage is real, the interpretations it has inspired are nonsensical.
The 11-second clip depicted Macron at the door of the aircraft when Brigitte reached out, seemingly shoving his face. While Macron initially looked taken aback, he quickly composed himself and waved to the press. As they descended the steps, he offered her his arm, but she chose to hold onto the railing instead.
Initially, the Élysée Palace denied that the incident was contentious, but later adjusted their stance to downplay its significance. According to a source close to the president, what transpired was merely a bit of bickering and playful teasing, described as a moment of togetherness before the commencement of their trip. However, this light-hearted exchange was co-opted by some pro-Russian trolls, who spun it into a source of controversy.
Macron faces ongoing issues with disinformation online, especially as he works to forge a united European response to the conflict in Ukraine. Recently, the Élysée also dismissed a viral claim regarding cocaine use by Macron during a train journey to Kyiv. This false narrative, originating from pro-Russian accounts, suggested that a crumpled tissue he picked up was a bag of drugs. The Élysée responded to the claim, clarifying that the item was simply a tissue, while condemning the misinformation as part of Russia’s strategy to undermine Western unity on Ukraine.
In summary, the playful incident between Macron and his wife has been misrepresented, illustrating the challenges faced by public figures in the age of social media, where minor moments can be exaggerated into major controversies and manipulated for political gain.