French President Emmanuel Macron was met with a surprising moment from his wife upon landing in Vietnam.
A light but unexpected moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte stirred online chatter after footage from Hanoi went viral.
As Macron stepped out of his aircraft on Sunday evening, his wife’s arms were seen pushing his face in what looked like a sudden and awkward gesture. He seemed a bit surprised but quickly smiled and waved at the crowd waiting below.
Brigitte stayed partly hidden behind the plane’s doorframe, making it hard to see her reaction. The two then walked down the steps to meet Vietnamese officials, but she ignored her husband’s extended arm.
The short clip, captured by the Associated Press, quickly made rounds on social media, especially on accounts critical of Macron. Many users speculated about the meaning of the moment.
Officials Say It Was Just A Playful Moment
Macron’s office first appeared unsure about the footage’s authenticity, but later accepted it was real.
People close to the president were quick to explain it wasn’t anything serious. One source described it as a small “couple’s squabble,” while another said it was just a playful act before the trip officially kicked off.
“They were simply relaxing with each other before the tour began. It was nothing dramatic,” the source told journalists.
They also blamed pro-Russian social media pages for spreading negative narratives about the clip.
Vietnam is President Macron’s first destination in his Southeast Asia tour, where he aims to present France as a strong alternative partner to China and the U.S. He is also expected to visit Indonesia and Singapore in the coming days.
