French President Emmanuel Macron became the focus of a viral social media phenomenon after a video showed his wife, Brigitte, seemingly pushing his face as they arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 25, 2025. The moment, recorded by Associated Press cameras as the couple began their Southeast Asia tour, depicted the first lady’s hands making contact with Macron’s face just as he stood inside the open door of the presidential aircraft.
The footage shows Macron in a suit, appearing in the aircraft doorway when Brigitte’s arms come from the left side of the frame. She places her hands on his face, appearing to apply pressure with one hand covering his mouth and part of his nose, and the other against his jaw. Macron recoiled and stepped back before quickly regaining his composure. Upon noticing the cameras, Macron turned to wave at the media on the tarmac below.
During the interaction, Brigitte stayed hidden behind the aircraft’s fuselage, obscuring her facial expression and body language. As the couple descended the aircraft stairs for the official welcome ceremony with Vietnamese officials, Macron offered his arm to Brigitte as a gesture of courtesy. Brigitte declined the offer, opting to hold the handrail for support as they walked side by side down the red-carpeted steps.
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, particularly by accounts critical of the French leader. Initial speculation suggested it might indicate a disagreement between the presidential couple. The Élysée Palace initially denied the footage was authentic, later confirming its validity while minimizing its importance.
Addressing reporters in Hanoi on May 26, 2025, Macron addressed the viral video and its ensuing speculation. “We are bickering and joking with my wife, and a video becomes a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe,” he stated, describing the interaction as playful rather than confrontational. He emphasized that it was lighthearted teasing before their official duties.
French presidential officials moved swiftly to manage the narrative. An Élysée Palace spokesperson described the moment as one of decompressing before their diplomatic tour began. The official suggested that the couple was merely engaging in a moment of intimacy, indicating closeness rather than conflict.
The spokesperson also noted that such moments serve as ammunition for conspiracy theorists and those spreading disinformation about the French president. Officials specifically pointed to pro-Russian social media accounts for amplifying negative interpretations, linking them to broader online attacks targeting Macron’s administration and personal life.
This incident occurred during a sensitive period for Macron, who has recently contended with several online disinformation campaigns. Earlier this year, the French president addressed false social media claims regarding a video of him on a train during a visit to Ukraine. Russian-linked accounts falsely alleged that Macron was concealing cocaine, which his office clarified as merely him removing a tissue from a table.
The Vietnam incident coincided with Macron’s strategic diplomatic mission to Southeast Asia, aimed at positioning France as a reliable alternative partner to both the United States and China in the region. His six-day tour includes visits to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore to strengthen ties in defense cooperation, energy transition, and cultural exchanges.
Macron’s relationship with Brigitte has previously drawn public interest due to their unconventional courtship history. The couple first met when Macron was a 15-year-old student at a Catholic school in northern France, where Brigitte was his drama teacher. At that time, she was 39 years old and married with three children. Their relationship developed despite the 24-year age gap, leading to Brigitte’s divorce from her first husband and marriage to Macron in 2007.
The couple’s marriage has endured various controversies and conspiracy theories over the years. Macron has previously denied fabricated rumors about his wife’s gender identity, describing such claims as misogynistic attacks targeting women in public life. The president has consistently defended their relationship against critics questioning the circumstances of their early acquaintance.
The viral nature of the airport incident illustrates how quickly personal moments involving world leaders can become subjects of international speculation in today’s digital media environment. Despite Macron’s attempts to characterize the interaction as harmless teasing between spouses, the footage continues to generate discussion about the dynamics of high-profile political marriages and the challenges of maintaining privacy while serving in public office.
