Although netizens could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the viral video of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, the French president attempted to dismiss online speculation by providing context.
A viral video circulating on social media shows the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte Macron, about to disembark from their plane in Vietnam. An unexpected exchange took place between the duo, which many netizens were quick to take notice of, expressing their shock and disbelief.
The widely discussed moment unfolded after the aircraft door swung open. As he stood behind a uniformed crew member, Emmanuel appeared to be mid-conversation when two swift hands — Brigitte’s — suddenly reached into view and delivered a firm push to his face
The unexpected gesture caused Emmanuel to momentarily recoil before he snapped his head in the direction of nearby cameras. His expression shifted from confusion to a tight smile.
He offered a brief wave and attempted to maintain composure, but quickly turned away and walked off-screen toward where Brigitte remained out of sight.
As the footage replayed in slow motion, viewers were able to catch every nuance of the exchange, from the jolt of contact to Emmanuel’s visible discomfort. Moments later, he was seen exiting the aircraft alone. He smiled and waved to the waiting crowd
Brigitte emerged shortly after. She walked solo. Although Emmanuel extended his arm in what seemed like a courteous gesture, she bypassed it, opting instead to descend the stairs beside him. The two presented a united front, but were noticeably unlinked.
As the video gained momentum online, viewers wasted no time sharing their reactions, many of which revealed a deep sense of shock, confusion, and concern. One person exclaimed, “OMG. EMBARRASSING!” while another stated, “I can’t believe he [sic] hit him.”
Someone else simply penned, “This is shocking!” and a fellow spectator echoed, “This is crazy.” A growing chorus of voices also expressed disapproval at the public nature of the moment.
“Disrespecting in public is not acceptable whatever the reason is that’s why we have a home to talk things out [sic],” one netizen opined, their comment resonating with others who criticized the timing and setting of the act.
While some tried to make sense of the brief but striking exchange, others commented on the tension it revealed. One viewer described the scene as “awkward,” and another admitted they “felt bad for him.” Still, others couldn’t hide their dismay, calling the moment “horrible” and unsettling to witness.
In an effort to quell the whirlwind of reactions, the French president directly addressed the incident during a press briefing in Hanoi.
Confronting the wave of speculation head-on, he described the viral clip as nothing more than a light-hearted exchange between himself and Brigitte. “There’s a video showing me joking and teasing my wife,” he told reporters, dismissing the international buzz as a gross overreaction
He added that what should have remained a playful moment had instead spiraled into what he mockingly referred to as a “geo-planetary catastrophe.
While he acknowledged the footage’s authenticity, he admitted that such videos can be tampered with, and was firm in his stance that the real issue lay in the wild narratives being projected onto the clip
Initially, the Élysée Palace reportedly denied that the incident ever took place. However, as scrutiny mounted, their tone shifted to one of minimization. A source close to the president characterized the moment as minor spousal bickering, chalking it up to a “moment of togetherness.”
The insider claimed the Macrons had simply been playfully teasing one another before kicking off their diplomatic tour. “No more was needed to feed the mills of the conspiracy theorists,” the source added, pointing to the internet’s tendency to overanalyze fleeting moments.
While Emmanuel sought to clear the air publicly, deeper insight into the couple’s bond can be found in Brigitte’s own words from a past, candid interview with Elle magazine, which has been translated from French into English.
Reflecting on the earliest days of their connection, she described how their relationship blossomed during collaborative evenings spent working on the play “The Art of Comedy.” What began as creative companionship soon evolved into something more, though Brigitte confessed it took her by surprise.
I didn’t understand why. It all seemed so irrational,” she shared, recalling how she looked forward to their Fridays together long before acknowledging the emotional shift taking place. Still, Brigitte attempted to maintain distance.
She even encouraged Emmanuel to return to Paris to finish school, believing it was the best decision for him at the time. Her focus then was not on gossip or outside opinion, but on protecting her children.
Over the years, Brigitte has weathered intense public scrutiny, particularly due to their age difference of 20 years. She admitted the attacks during Emmanuel’s presidential campaign were painful. “Okay, you’re going through it, it hurts — but just stay silent,” she recalled telling herself
Despite the backlash, physical distance, and the emotional cost of her choices, Brigitte said she never wavered from what she felt was right. “I couldn’t not do it,” she disclosed of their unconventional union
She described how she and Emmanuel both had to help their families come to terms with their relationship, and although it disrupted some things — including, she acknowledges, her children’s sense of normalcy — she remained resolute
I had a lot of joy with my children, but at the same time, I felt I had to live ‘that love,’ as Prévert said, to be truly happy,” reflected Brigitte.
For a couple whose personal life has often been placed under a microscope, the incident in Vietnam — and the resulting fervor — may be just another reminder of how closely the world watches. But for Brigitte and Emmanuel, it’s clear that their story is one marked not just by controversy, but also by conviction.
