The official trip of Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam has been overshadowed by an unexpected scandal. Upon his arrival in the Asian country, cameras captured a scene that caused a major stir. Brigitte Macron, the first lady, appeared to slap her husband right after stepping off the presidential plane.
The footage, recorded by an American agency, quickly went viral on social media. Emmanuel Macron, realizing there were cameras, tried to cover up the moment with a forced smile. His wife, dressed in a striking red suit, stayed by his side without showing any emotion.
From the president's circle, no clear version of the events was offered at first. Some spokespersons claimed that the video was manipulated and that it was a montage. However, the agency that recorded it quickly confirmed its authenticity.
That confirmation forced the Élysée to change its public stance on the incident. The new explanation stated that it was just an unimportant argument between the couple. According to them, a private moment that was accidentally exposed to the cameras.
Emmanuel Macron confesses the truth
Soon after, there was a new twist in the official account of what happened. This time, it was claimed that it had been a simple joke between the president and his wife. A show of complicity just before starting his official agenda in Vietnam.
"It was a moment of relaxation," presidential sources told AFP. They insisted that the scene shouldn't be taken seriously or interpreted out of context. Even so, Macron's reaction in the footage has made many people doubt.
The president's expression after his wife's gesture didn't seem to fit a humorous situation. He tried to keep his composure, but his face showed surprise and tension. That contradiction has fueled even more speculation.
Finally, Emmanuel Macron has decided to speak publicly about the matter. In a brief appearance, he admitted that the footage was real and that there was indeed a minor argument. However, he wanted to make it clear that it wasn't a serious or worrying conflict.
Brigitte Macron remains silent
"It was a misunderstanding between two people who love each other," the president told several journalists. He assured that the scene doesn't reflect the reality of his relationship with Brigitte. He also stated that they are used to the pressure of public life.
This isn't the first time that rumors of tensions between them have surfaced, although they had never been so evident. On other occasions, there has been talk of disagreements, but they have always appeared smiling in public. This time, the forcefulness of the video has made a big difference.
Brigitte Macron's silence since the incident occurred has been interpreted in various ways. For some, it is a strategy to avoid fueling the controversy further. For others, it reflects a possible discomfort that hasn't yet been solved.
What is certain is that the video has had a greater impact than the Élysée imagined. The succession of different versions has only increased the confusion and media interest. Many people believe that the handling of the scandal has been clumsy and improvised.
Despite the explanations, the episode has left a mark on the French president's public image. The private moment, turned into a global phenomenon, has exposed an unknown side of the presidential couple. Although Macron has wanted to put an end to the issue, the controversy is far from over.