' Merely a jest': Macron dismisses rumors of conflict with wife, lays blame on misinformation spread
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, disembarked from a plane in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday, but their arrival was clouded by a viral video showing a seemingly confrontational moment between the couple. In the footage, Brigitte appears to push Emmanuel's face away as they stepped off the plane, leading some to speculate about a domestic dispute.
However, the Elysee Palace swiftly dismissed such rumors, with Macron himself describing the incident as "horsing around" – a lighthearted moment between the two before their official engagements in Vietnam. A close associate highlighted that the incident was merely a "squabble" or a playful exchange between the couple.
The viral video, which has sparked controversy, comes at a time when France alleges repeated disinformation attacks, particularly amid Russia's increased attacks on Ukraine. The incident was not left unnoticed by Russia's foreign ministry, which playfully suggested that the gesture might have been a "gentle pat," a missed handed tissue, or even a covert attempt by the "Kremlin's hand."
The couple, though, continued with their official welcome by Vietnamese officials, further indicating that the moment did not indicate a deeper issue. The incident remains a matter of speculation, with no concrete evidence supporting claims of a serious domestic dispute.
Irrespective of the viral video's controversy, the Elysee Palace, led by President Macron, described the alleged confrontational moment between him and his wife as a playful "squabble" or "horsing around." Amidst France's allegations of disinformation attacks, particularly from Russia, the Russian foreign ministry humorously suggested the gesture as either a "gentle pat," a missed tissue, or a covert Kremlin attempt, further fueling general-news and politics speculation, yet offering no substantial evidence of a general-news or crime-and-justice Issue involving Ira Macron.
