French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed claims of a domestic disagreement with his wife, Brigitte, after a video showing an unusual interaction between the couple went viral during their arrival in Vietnam for a diplomatic visit.
Addressing journalists in Hanoi on Monday, Macron explained that the moment caught on camera, where Brigitte appeared to push his face away, was part of their usual playful behavior.
“We were joking around, as we often do,” he said, noting that this incident, along with other misinterpreted videos—including one suggesting he was handling a bag of cocaine or clashing with the Turkish president—were all baseless.
“None of that is true,” Macron stated, calling for calm in response to the online frenzy.
The footage, captured by the Associated Press as the French delegation landed in Hanoi on Sunday evening, shows Macron stepping out of the aircraft.
Moments later, Brigitte’s hands can be seen reaching out from the side, pushing his face lightly.
Though the president appeared momentarily surprised, he quickly smiled and waved.
Brigitte remained mostly out of view, making it difficult to assess her expression.
As they descended the stairs for an official welcome by Vietnamese dignitaries, Brigitte Macron declined to take her husband’s arm.
The president’s team initially questioned the authenticity of the clip but later confirmed it was real.
A close aide described the encounter as a “harmless exchange between a couple,” while another member of the delegation suggested it was simply a private moment before the start of an intense diplomatic tour.
“They were just sharing a light moment before the official engagements,” the source said, suggesting critics—especially pro-Russian social media users—were blowing the incident out of proportion.
Vietnam marks the first leg of Macron’s week-long tour of Southeast Asia, during which he aims to promote France as a credible partner distinct from China and the United States.
His itinerary also includes visits to Indonesia and Singapore.