A video that went viral on social media Sunday night set off alarm bells across the internet. As French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte disembark from the presidential plane in Hanoi, Vietnam, an Associated Press camera captured what appears to be a “light slap in the face” that Brigitte gives her husband.

The internet exploded, theories multiplied, and the Elysée (the Presidency of the French Republic) initially tried to deny the event. Then, it downplayed it.

In the footage, Brigitte appears to be pushing Macron's face with both hands in a gesture that arouses confusion and a lot of room for interpretation - the president seems surprised, but immediately overcomes the situation with a restrained smile and greets the crowd.

In a statement to the media in Hanoi, Macron said that everything had been misunderstood:

"We were being teased. We were joking and it took me by surprise. Now it's become a planetary catastrophe, with conspiracy theories emerging daily," he said ironically.

He links the incident to a new wave of disinformation against France, which he says has come in parallel with tensions in Ukraine. In parallel with the incident, Macron also mentioned another video that went viral, where some said he was sharing cocaine on a train with leaders Merz and Starmer (false), or another alleged tense moment with President Erdogan during a handshake.

"In the last three weeks, I've been declared a 'cocaine addict,' then shown fighting with Erdogan, and now – a man getting slapped by his wife. None of this is true," he said.

Macron officials initially denied that the video was authentic, then admitted that the footage was real but “exaggerated.” A source close to the president told the media that it was a “harmless couple prank.” However, the footage continued to circulate at a frenzied pace online — especially from accounts that are typically anti-Macron.

Upon disembarking the plane, Brigitte refused Macron's offer to help her down the stairs, which, for many online commentators, "only intensified the drama."

The relationship between the couple has always been in the spotlight: Brigitte, 72, once his drama teacher at a private school in Amiens, and Macron, 47, the former student who became president.

Their story has overcome many prejudices and has become a strong and public relationship - but one that is often the target of rumors and fake news, with Brigitte even taking legal action for false news about her gender identity.

So, in conclusion, no, Brigitte didn't slap Macron like in a Netflix drama, but yes, a short video has turned into a nightmare for the Elysée. The internet is simply unforgiving. And Macron knows this well.

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_{Source: Le Monde}