Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was captured shortly after arriving in Vietnam for a trip, when he was struck in the face by his wife, Brigitte Macron, inside the doorway of the private plane, raising speculation about marital discord.
On the 26th (local time), a video shot by the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters showed the private plane carrying President Macron and his wife landing at Hanoi Airport in Vietnam on the night of the 25th.
The private plane's door opened, revealing the profile of President Macron standing inside. Soon after, a red-sleeved arm emerged from the direction President Macron turned, pushing against his mouth and nose. President Macron stepped back momentarily.
Recovering quickly, President Macron noticed the camera flashes from reporters on the runway below. He waved casually with a smile outward before turning serious and entering the interior of the private plane, out of the camera's angle.
A short while later, President Macron reappeared at the private plane's door, followed closely by the owner of the red sleeve, Brigitte. Initially, Brigitte was smiling, but her expression soon hardened, ignoring President Macron's right arm, which he gently extended in an escort manner. Brigitte did not take his arm but instead grasped the railing.
As this scene became a topic on social media (SNS), President Macron told reporters in Hanoi that "ridiculous stories are being made from just one video," emphasizing he was "only joking with my wife," according to the daily Le Parisien.
The Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president, clarified that "the president and the first lady had the last laugh and relaxation before starting their trip," stating, "This is a moment of intimacy."
President Macron was first elected as France's president in 2017 at the historic youngest age of 39. He successfully won reelection in 2022 and will serve until 2027. His wife, Brigitte, is 25 years older, a former teacher from his high school days, and they married in 2007.