Macron slapped by his wife – video sparks online discussion

Tengrinews.kz – French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam began with an unexpected incident that quickly went viral. A video surfaced online showing France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, suddenly placing her hands on the President’s face — a gesture that resembles a slap, according to BFMTV.

The moment occurred as the couple descended the aircraft stairs at Hanoi Airport.

Footage filmed by Associated Press sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Initially, the Elysee Palace questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting it might have been generated by artificial intelligence and circulated by opponents. However, the clip was later confirmed to be genuine.

Presidential aides explained the moment as a “family joke.”

“The President and his wife were simply goofing around before the start of an important tour,” one source commented.

Some observers noted that Brigitte Macron refused to take her husband’s arm, as is customary, choosing instead to hold the stair railing.

Macron began his Southeast Asia tour in Vietnam and is also scheduled to visit Indonesia and Singapore in the coming week.