A video circulating on social media Monday morning sparked rumors that French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped by his wife upon arrival in Vietnam, triggering widespread speculation online.
The footage, showing what some interpreted as First Lady Brigitte Macron making a sudden gesture toward the President, quickly went viral. However, the Elysée Palace has responded, firmly denying any allegations of physical aggression.
“It was a moment of closeness,” said an Elysée official, dismissing claims that any form of violence occurred.
Context Behind the Controversial Video
President Macron’s visit marks the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade, as part of a broader effort to reassert France’s influence in its former colony amid shifting global dynamics in Southeast Asia.
The video emerged shortly after Macron’s arrival, where he was greeted with a formal reception. The clip shows Brigitte Macron raising her hand near the President, a moment which some online misinterpreted as a slap.
Elysée Urges Public Not to Misread Footage
Officials have urged the public and media to avoid spreading misinformation and to consider the context and visual ambiguity of the clip. According to sources, the couple shared a brief and affectionate moment, not an altercation.
