Macron's Vietnam visit overshadowed by viral slap incident
During Emmanuel Macron's visit to Vietnam, an unusual incident occurred. Cameras captured the moment when the hand belonging to the president's wife covered his face. It looked as if Brigitte Macron had slapped her husband.
The incident took place on board the French presidential plane shortly after it landed in Vietnam. Cameras captured the moment showing Brigitte Macron's hand covering her husband's face, and then energetically pushing it away. It appeared as though Brigitte Macron had slapped the French president. Upon realising the scene was recorded, he began waving to those gathered around.
Initially, the French president's office denied the authenticity of the recording. However, it was later confirmed that the incident did indeed take place. One of Macron's aides described the event as a "harmless argument," while others downplayed the situation, suggesting it was a way of relieving pre-travel stress.
"We are horsing around and, really, joking with my wife. It becomes a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe," stated another informant, quoted by "AP."
Did the incident affect the president's image?
The recording became very popular on social media, where it is widely commented on. Some sources suggest that it is now being used by pro-Russian accounts to spread conspiracy theories.
