Overview

• A split-second video by the Associated Press captured Brigitte Macron playfully shoving President Macron’s face as they prepared to deplane in Hanoi.
• Élysée officials initially questioned the footage before aligning with Macron’s account and acknowledging the clip as genuine.
• Macron described the moment as lighthearted bickering, lamenting its viral spread as a “global catastrophe” of unfounded theories.
• He faulted “the Russians” and other conspiracy peddlers for amplifying the incident into a false narrative.
• The episode overshadowed Macron’s visit to bolster France’s influence in Vietnam and highlighted ongoing scrutiny of the couple’s 25-year age-gap marriage.