Hanoi, Vietnam — On Monday, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron sought to downplay an amusing incident that occurred during his arrival in Vietnam, marking the beginning of a significant Southeast Asian tour. The event, which has garnered considerable attention online, featured First Lady Brigitte Macron seemingly pushing her husband's face away as he stepped off the plane.
Footage captured by The Associated Press on Sunday evening shows the door of Macron's plane opening to reveal him. Almost immediately, Brigitte's arms emerge from the left side of the doorway, where she gently places both hands on his face and gives it a playful shove. The president appears momentarily startled but quickly regains his composure, turning to wave at the gathered crowd through the open door. Due to the positioning of the aircraft, Brigitte is obscured, making it difficult to interpret her facial expressions or body language during the incident.
As the couple descends the staircase, they are greeted by Vietnamese officials. Notably, Brigitte Macron does not accept her husband's offered arm, which has led to various interpretations of the moment. The video clip of this interaction quickly circulated on social media, particularly among accounts that are often critical of the French leader.
Initially, Macron's office denied the authenticity of the images, but subsequent confirmations established them as genuine. In response to the swirling reports, Macron addressed the media, stating that he and Brigitte were simply engaging in some light-hearted joking. He remarked, "We are horsing around and, really, joking with my wife," and criticized the media’s portrayal of the incident as exaggerated, labeling it a "geo-planetary catastrophe."
A close associate of President Macron described the encounter as a harmless squabble between a couple. Another member of his entourage further downplayed the matter, explaining that it was merely a moment for the couple to relax before the commencement of their trip. "It's a moment of togetherness," the source told reporters, while also attributing the negative commentary surrounding the incident to pro-Russian accounts.
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron's relationship dates back to when the future president was still in high school and Brigitte was his teacher. They married in 2007 and have often been in the public eye, celebrated for their dynamic partnership.
Vietnam serves as the first stop on Macron's nearly week-long tour of Southeast Asia. During this trip, he aims to promote France as a reliable alternative to the United States and China, especially in light of the economic uncertainty exacerbated by the ongoing trade tariff war between these global powers. Following Vietnam, Macron is scheduled to visit Indonesia and Singapore.
