Macron responds to viral video of wife’s push after footage showed Brigitte Macron placing her hands on his face as they stepped off a plane in Hanoi. The clip, filmed during their arrival in Vietnam on Sunday, quickly spread online and sparked speculation about possible tension between the French president and his wife.
In the video, Macron appears surprised but quickly recovers, smiling and waving to the crowd. Social media, however, was quick to interpret the moment as a sign of conflict.
A Playful Gesture, Not a Fight
In his public remarks, Macron responds to viral video of wife’s push by explaining that the gesture was part of their usual joking interactions. He emphasized that the video does not indicate any real conflict between him and his wife. “We were just having fun,” Macron said. “I’m surprised this has been blown out of proportion. It’s nonsense.” Macron responds to viral video of wife’s push with a clear dismissal of any rumors about domestic issues.
Macron Clarifies: A Playful Moment, Not an Argument
Speaking to journalists the next day, Macron dismissed the rumors. He explained that the exchange was simply a playful gesture between him and his wife.
“We were joking around, as we often do,” he said. “I’m surprised this turned into such a big deal. People are inventing stories out of nothing. It’s nonsense.”
Online Speculation and Disinformation Continue to Rise
According to Macron, the viral clip is just the latest example of a growing wave of misinformation. Although the video itself is genuine, he said, the interpretations circulating online are far from accurate.
In recent weeks, Macron has faced other misleading claims. During a trip to Kyiv, a video showed a tissue on the table of a train cabin shared with other European leaders. Some online users falsely claimed it was a bag of drugs.
The Élysée Responds to Previous Incidents
In response to the false claims from the Kyiv trip, the Élysée Palace issued a rare public statement. It said, “When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation turns even a tissue into supposed drugs. This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both foreign and domestic.”
Another Case: Erdogan Handshake Misinterpreted
In addition to the Hanoi video, Macron referenced a recent handshake with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The handshake, which took place during a summit in Albania, was exaggerated by some viewers as a display of personal rivalry or political tension.
“In just three weeks,” Macron explained, “people have claimed I did drugs, fought with Erdogan, and now that I’m in a domestic dispute. None of it is true.”
Criticism from Conservative Media Persists
Nevertheless, the video continued to gain traction across French media, particularly among conservative commentators. Ivan Rioufol, a right-wing political columnist, suggested the interaction showed that Macron lacked authority, even in his personal life.
“He cannot even command respect from his wife in front of cameras,” Rioufol stated during a televised discussion.
President Calls for Focus on Real News
To close the matter, Macron urged the public to stop amplifying baseless claims and to redirect their attention to more pressing global matters.
“Everyone needs to calm down and focus on real news,” he said firmly.
Report compiled with contributions from Catherine Porter in Paris.
