Newly surfaced footage has sparked widespread attention after appearing to show French President Emmanuel Macron being struck by his wife, Brigitte, as the couple arrived in Vietnam to begin an official tour of Southeast Asia.
The incident occurred as the presidential plane landed at Hanoi airport on Sunday evening. As officials awaited their arrival at the foot of the aircraft stairs, video captures President Macron visible through the doorway, followed by Brigitte, who appears to raise her hand toward his face in a gesture that some have interpreted as a slap.
Macron looks momentarily taken aback before turning to wave to those below. As they descend the stairs, he reaches for her hand, which she declines, opting instead to hold the railing.
A source close to the President, speaking to the French news outlet BFMTV, downplayed the footage, characterizing the moment as a lighthearted exchange. “It was just a bit of playful teasing between the President and his wife before the start of a busy trip,” the source stated, describing the moment as typical marital banter.
President Macron and First Lady Brigitte arrived in Hanoi to commence a week-long diplomatic visit to Southeast Asia, with scheduled stops in Indonesia and Singapore.
