By Charles Maduka
French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed speculations of a domestic dispute with his wife, Brigitte Macron, following the circulation of a video showing her seemingly pushing his face as they arrived in Vietnam.
The footage, captured during their official visit to Hanoi, showed Brigitte briefly shoving her husband’s face just as he emerged from the plane. Macron appeared momentarily surprised but quickly composed himself and waved to the welcoming officials. Brigitte remained partly out of view behind the aircraft doorway, making her expression and gestures unclear.
Speaking to reporters in Vietnam, Macron said the incident was being taken out of context. “We were joking as we often do,” he said. “None of the things being said are true. Everyone needs to calm down.”
The president also addressed other viral claims, including one suggesting he was holding a bag of cocaine and another alleging a confrontation with the Turkish president. “These are all fabrications,” he said.
Macron’s office initially questioned the authenticity of the video but later confirmed it as real. A close associate described the moment as a harmless “squabble” between the couple, while another member of his entourage said it was just a lighthearted moment before a serious diplomatic engagement.
“It was a private moment of togetherness blown out of proportion,” the official noted, blaming conspiracy theorists and pro-Russian accounts for fueling the controversy.
Vietnam marks the first leg of Macron’s week-long Southeast Asian tour, during which he is expected to promote France as a strategic partner distinct from the United States and China. The trip also includes stops in Indonesia and Singapore.
Leave a Reply