Captured While Disembarking Presidential Plane During Vietnam Visit
Macron Explains, "It Was Just a Playful Moment"
Shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Vietnam, a scene was captured inside the doorway of the presidential plane showing his wife, Brigitte Macron, striking him in the face. This incident has sparked numerous controversies and speculations. On the 26th (local time), Yonhap News, citing reports from AP News and others, reported that President Macron was caught on video being slapped by Mrs. Brigitte inside the presidential plane.
On the 26th (local time), Yonhap News, citing reports from AP News and others, reported that a video was captured showing President Macron being slapped by Mrs. Brigitte inside the presidential plane. X (X)
Earlier, on the 25th, the presidential plane carrying President Macron and his wife landed at Hanoi Airport in Vietnam late at night. As the aircraft door opened, President Macron appeared to be conversing with someone inside. Soon after, an arm in a red sleeve emerged from the direction in which President Macron had turned, pushing his mouth and nose area away.
Realizing that cameras from the press were flashing, President Macron put on a calm smile and waved to the outside as if nothing had happened, then immediately turned serious and retreated into the interior of the plane, out of the camera's view. Shortly after, President Macron reappeared at the aircraft door, followed by Mrs. Brigitte, the owner of the red sleeve. At first, Mrs. Brigitte was smiling, but her expression soon stiffened, and she ignored President Macron's right arm, which he had slightly extended in a gesture of escort.
This video quickly spread across social networking services (SNS) and online communities, sparking various speculations. The posted video received countless mocking comments such as "Is she a victim of domestic violence?" and "Brigitte achieved what every French person dreams of." Some comments, recalling that the two were once teacher and student, said, "This is how a teacher handles a student."
This video quickly spread across social networking services (SNS) and online communities, sparking various speculations. The posted video received countless mocking comments such as "Is she a victim of domestic violence?" and "Brigitte achieved what every French person dreams of." X (X)
As the controversy spread, one of President Macron's aides told Le Figaro that this situation was a "normal argument between a couple." Another aide explained to reporters that "the president and the first lady were simply spending a playful moment to relax before the start of the official visit." The aide added, "It was a scene reflecting their intimacy, but even this has become enough material for conspiracy theorists," insisting that most of the negative comments came from pro-Russian accounts.
As speculation intensified, President Macron himself stepped in to address the situation. According to Le Parisien, on the 26th in Hanoi, he told reporters, "All sorts of absurd things are being said based on a single video," explaining that he was "just playing around with my wife." President Macron also referred to a recent incident on May 9, when a fake news story spread claiming he was hiding cocaine after he disposed of a tissue he had used to blow his nose on a train to Kyiv, Ukraine. He said, "Now they say I had a fight with my wife," and added, "This is not true, so I hope everyone calms down and focuses more on the essence of the news."
Meanwhile, President Macron was first elected as the youngest president in French history at the age of 39 in 2017. He was re-elected in 2022 and will serve as president until 2027. His wife, Brigitte, was his high school teacher and is 25 years older than him.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
