Macron & Brigitte in Hanoi: Controversy & Vietnam Visit
- French President Emmanuel macron's recent trip to Vietnam, the frist by a French head of state in a decade, has been largely overshadowed by a viral video.
- Despite the controversy, and denials from Macron himself, the couple proceeded with their official visit.
- The viral video shows Macron about to exit the aircraft when an unseen hand, allegedly Brigitte's, makes contact with his face.Macron reacts with surprise, but quickly composes himself...
Macron’s Vietnam Visit overshadowed by Viral Video Controversy
French President Emmanuel macron’s recent trip to Vietnam, the frist by a French head of state in a decade, has been largely overshadowed by a viral video. The video purportedly shows First Lady Brigitte macron appearing to strike the president before disembarking thier plane.
Despite the controversy, and denials from Macron himself, the couple proceeded with their official visit. They attended a state dinner hosted by President luong Cuong,where they were photographed looking relaxed. They were also recorded during an evening stroll through Hanoi, images of which were shared on Macron’s official Instagram account.
The viral video shows Macron about to exit the aircraft when an unseen hand, allegedly Brigitte’s, makes contact with his face.Macron reacts with surprise, but quickly composes himself and smiles for the cameras. His wife exits, and while he offers his arm, she declines, using the railing for support rather.
the Élysée Palace has refuted claims of a dispute, initially dismissing the video as perhaps AI-generated.Later, sources close to the president suggested it was a “small joke” between the couple.
The Élysée has frequently denounced misinformation campaigns, often attributing them to Russian sources or the French far-right. Macron himself addressed the issue of manipulated media, referencing other recent incidents.
A few days ago a video was spread, which is authentic, in which I take a handkerchief of the table and said it was cocaine… And now it is a video in which my wife and I are joking the one that becomes a kind of planetary biocatastrophe… The videos are all true, but we must not use them to say nonsense.
This incident follows previous instances of misinformation targeting the Macrons, including false rumors last year that Brigitte Macron was a transsexual. The first lady’s daughter publicly condemned the damaging effects of the disinformation campaign on her family.
The relationship between Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron is notable. They met when he was 15 and she was his teacher,then 39 and married.They wed in 2007, years before Macron’s presidency.This Tuesday, upon landing in Indonesia, Macron was seen taking his wife’s arm as they exited the plane.
What’s next
President Macron is expected to continue his tour of Southeast Asia, focusing on establishing economic alliances amid ongoing global commercial tensions. The French government will likely remain vigilant against further misinformation campaigns targeting the president and his family.