French President Macron's Viral Video Explained

A video of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte has gone viral, sparking widespread debate and memes. The clip shows Brigitte appearing to slap or shove Macron's face as they exit a plane in Vietnam, where Macron was starting a Southeast Asian tour.

What really happened?

The incident occurred as the Macrons were arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam, for an official diplomatic visit. Brigitte Macron extended her hands from inside the plane and pressed against her husband's face, momentarily startling him. Macron quickly regained his composure, smiled, and waved to reporters outside.

Macron has downplayed the incident, describing it as a lighthearted moment between him and his wife. "I was bickering, or rather joking, with my wife. It's nothing," he told reporters. 

He also cautioned against attributing "nonsense" to such moments, emphasizing that while the videos are real, people often tamper with them or read too much into them.