A viral video capturing what appears to be French First Lady Brigitte Macron slapping President Emmanuel Macron aboard a plane has triggered a storm on social media, just as the French leader landed in Vietnam to kick off his Southeast Asia diplomatic tour.
Incident on the Aircraft Sparks Online Buzz
According to The Metro, footage shot at Hanoi Airport on Sunday night shows Macron standing inside the aircraft near the cockpit, with a serious expression on his face. As the plane doors open, Macron seems to speak to Brigitte, who then abruptly reaches out and appears to smack him on the mouth. The French President reacts with a stunned look before quickly turning to wave at the cameras awaiting him at the foot of the aircraft steps. The couple then descended the stairs together, with Macron offering his arm to his wife in a composed manner.
Watch the video here:
French President Macron appears to be slapped by his wife Brigitte Macron as they arrive in Vietnam pic.twitter.com/sXkBY7fAxB
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 26, 2025
“Moment of Closeness,” Say Sources Close to Macron
Sources close to Macron have since downplayed the incident, describing it as a light-hearted exchange. A source quoted by Express US called it a “harmless scuffle”, attributing the viral reaction to “pro-Russian circles.” The source emphasized that “it was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh. It was a moment of closeness.”
Another source told The Metro, “It was a moment for the President and his wife to unwind one last time before the start of the trip by having a little fun. It’s a moment of togetherness. No more was needed to feed the mills of the conspiracy theorists.”
Macron’s Controversial Past and Online Targeting
President Macron has often been the subject of online conspiracy theories and misinformation. One of the more notorious claims targeted his wife, Brigitte Macron, alleging she was born a man. Macron condemned these allegations, calling them a “misogynistic form of online abuse directed at women.”
In another instance, Macron was embroiled in a false narrative that he was caught with a bag of cocaine while traveling to Kyiv with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and Germany’s Friedrich Merz. The footage sparked claims from pro-Russian accounts that “Macron quickly pockets it, Merz hides the spoon,” implying illicit drug use. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova amplified the theory, writing on Telegram, “The fate of Europe is being decided by utterly (drug) dependent individuals.”
Diplomatic Mission Overshadowed
Macron’s Vietnam visit, meant to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with the former French colony, has taken a backseat in the media due to the controversial video. While Macron intends to sign multiple bilateral agreements, online attention remains fixated on the now-viral footage.
Despite the uproar, the couple appeared united during their public appearance, walking hand-in-hand and maintaining composure. The incident serves as a reminder of how high-profile public figures are increasingly vulnerable to viral moments being taken out of context.
