A video showing Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, seemingly slapping him upon their arrival in Vietnam has gone viral, sparking a flurry of speculation and reactions on social media platforms.
Tense Arrival Captured at Hanoi Airport
The French President landed in Hanoi on Sunday evening to begin a diplomatic tour across Southeast Asia. However, instead of focusing on the official agenda, attention shifted to an awkward moment at the aircraft’s door.
In the video, Brigitte Macron is seen reaching for President Macron’s face, briefly pushing it aside as the airplane door opens. The President appeared momentarily surprised but quickly regained composure and greeted the Vietnamese welcoming party with a wave.
❗️ Macron's wife viciously SMACKS him in face pic.twitter.com/2zSalRFYLu
— RT (@RT_com) May 26, 2025
Partially Hidden Gesture Fuels Online Reactions
Adding to the intrigue, Brigitte’s face remained partially obscured behind the aircraft door during the interaction. After the gesture, the couple walked down the steps side by side, though Brigitte seemed to avoid holding the President’s arm.
The entire incident was caught by Associated Press cameras and has since circulated widely online, igniting public conversation and media interest.
Official Response: A Harmless Moment Misunderstood
Initially, the French President’s office dismissed the video’s authenticity. However, they later acknowledged its legitimacy. A senior aide described the exchange as a light-hearted marital moment, downplaying any notion of conflict.
“It was a private moment where the President and his wife were simply decompressing before the official visit began,” the aide told AFP. Another source called it “a moment of togetherness,” criticizing online conspiracy theories and blaming the viral backlash on pro-Russian social media accounts.
Macron Begins Southeast Asia Diplomatic Mission
Despite the social media buzz, President Macron proceeded with his official tour. His week-long itinerary includes important visits to Indonesia and Singapore following his arrival in Vietnam.
