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A short video clip has sent social media into a frenzy, appearing to show French First Lady Brigitte Macron pushing or slapping her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, in the face as they disembarked the presidential plane in Hanoi, Vietnam, at the start of a Southeast Asia tour. The incident, captured by an Associated Press video journalist on Sunday evening, has prompted swift damage control from the Élysée Palace, who have dismissed the moment as a harmless instance of "relaxing" and "having a laugh."
The viral footage shows President Macron appearing at the open doorway of the aircraft. Suddenly, his wife Brigitte's hands emerge from the left of the frame, making contact with his face in a gesture that has been widely interpreted as a push or a light slap. President Macron appears momentarily surprised, but quickly recovers, turning to wave to those gathered below. Brigitte Macron remains largely concealed by the plane's fuselage, obscuring her immediate reaction or body language. The couple then descended the steps together, though reports note Brigitte did not immediately take her husband's offered arm.
The video rapidly gained traction online, particularly amplified by accounts critical of the French leader. Initially, Macron's office reportedly denied the authenticity of the images, but later acknowledged the video was genuine, shifting their narrative to downplay its significance. An Élysée official stated, "It was a moment when the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by joking around. It's a moment of togetherness." Other sources close to the president described it as a "couple's harmless squabble."
This public moment has once again brought attention to the unique relationship between Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Their marriage, often a subject of global fascination, is notable for its significant age difference. Brigitte Macron, born Brigitte Marie-Claude Trogneux, is 24 years older than her husband. She was a drama teacher at Lycée la Providence, a high school in Amiens, where a then 15-year-old Emmanuel Macron was a student and classmate of her daughter. Their relationship developed over time, facing initial challenges and public scrutiny due to the age gap and the fact that Brigitte was his teacher.
Brigitte, now 71, was previously married to André-Louis Auzière, with whom she has three children. She divorced Auzière in January 2006 and married Emmanuel Macron, who is now 46, in October 2007. Despite the unconventional start to their relationship, their bond has often been described as strong and supportive, with President Macron frequently crediting Brigitte as an indispensable part of his life and success. The couple has openly discussed the challenges and misconceptions surrounding their age difference, with Brigitte Macron famously stating, "If I did not make that choice, I would have missed out on my life."
As the Macrons continue their diplomatic engagements in Southeast Asia, the Élysée's efforts to control the narrative around the viral video underscore the intense scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age, where every fleeting moment can be captured, dissected, and interpreted in countless ways.
