Hanoi, Vietnam – May 25, 2025 – A fleeting moment at Noi Bai International Airport has sparked global chatter, overshadowing French President Emmanuel Macron’s high-stakes diplomatic visit to Vietnam. As Macron, 47, prepared to disembark from his plane, a viral video captured his wife, Brigitte Macron, 71, appearing to push or shove his face, prompting a brief stumble before he waved to cameras and descended. The clip, first shared by the Associated Press, has fueled speculation, with some labeling it a “slap” and others a harmless jest.
The Élysée Palace swiftly addressed the incident, confirming the video’s authenticity after initial denials. “It was a moment of togetherness, nothing more,” an official stated, with aides describing it as “playful teasing” between the couple to ease tensions before Macron’s Southeast Asia tour. The president himself dismissed the uproar in Hanoi, blaming “conspiracy theorists” and pro-Russian accounts for amplifying the narrative. “We were joking around,” he told reporters, emphasizing the couple’s unity.
The incident, however brief, has drawn attention away from Macron’s agenda to bolster France’s influence in Asia, including a deal for 20 Airbus planes. Brigitte, a constant presence in Macron’s political ascent, appeared unfazed, though she notably declined his offered arm, opting for the railing. Sources close to the couple insist the exchange reflects their close, candid dynamic, forged through a relationship that began controversially when Macron was 15 and Brigitte, then his teacher, was 39.
For stakeholders, the episode underscores the challenges of public life in the digital age, where private moments can overshadow policy triumphs. As Macron navigates France’s global ambitions, this viral hiccup serves as a reminder: even playful gestures can spark diplomatic distractions.
