Macron Dismisses Disinformation After Viral Video Incident with Wife

In a recent viral video, French President Emmanuel Macron was seen seemingly being pushed by his wife, Brigitte, which led to widespread speculation and commentary. Macron downplayed the incident, describing it as playful banter that is misinterpreted, while condemning the disinformation surrounding it.

French President Emmanuel Macron found himself at the center of a viral moment recently after a video surfaced showing his wife, Brigitte Macron, seemingly pushing him in the face as they exited a plane in Hanoi, Vietnam. The clip, filmed by an bystander, quickly spread across social media, generating numerous interpretations and sensational commentary.

Addressing the matter, Macron clarified that the video was simply a light-hearted exchange between him and his wife. “We were just bickering and joking around as we often do,” he remarked, expressing disbelief at how the moment spiraled into a global discussion. “I’m surprised that it turned into some kind of catastrophe, leading to wild theories,” he stated, calling it "nonsense."

The incident occurred during the beginning of Macron's five-day official visit to Vietnam. He labeled the myriad of reactions as part of a wave of disinformation directed at him, particularly over the past few weeks. Macron highlighted a previous, unrelated incident where social media users mischaracterized a tissue on a table during a train trip to Kyiv with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "bag of cocaine." The Élysée Palace had to issue a statement denouncing such unfounded narratives as an attack on European unity, instigated by his adversaries.

He further cited another reported incident involving a prolonged handshake with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, remarking on the portrayal of these harmless moments as subjects for scandal. “It’s been three weeks of ridiculous interpretations,” he said, urging the public to focus on real news instead.

Nonetheless, the sensational video has ignited discussions in conservative media, with some commentators suggesting it reflects deeper issues of respect within the couple's dynamic. Right-wing columnist Ivan Rioufol even speculated about implications of domestic violence against men, stating that it undermined Macron's authority.

In closing, Macron urged everyone to remain calm and not get swept away by overblown sensationalism, reinforcing his stance on maintaining dignity in political and personal life.