What was supposed to be a routine diplomatic visit quickly turned into a media frenzy after a video showing France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron apparently slapping President Emmanuel Macron went viral online. The Elysee Palace has confirmed the footage is authentic.

A video capturing what appears to be a surprising and awkward moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte has sparked controversy and widespread debate on social media. The incident took place as the presidential couple arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of a scheduled diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia.

The video, released by the Associated Press on Sunday evening, shows the doors of the presidential aircraft opening on the tarmac in Hanoi. As President Macron begins to step out, the hands of Brigitte Macron suddenly appear and make contact with his face in a motion that viewers online have described as either a playful slap or a light punch. Macron looks visibly surprised but quickly regains his composure and waves to the awaiting crowd. As they descend the plane’s staircase, he offers his hand to his wife, but she instead chooses to hold the railing.

Initially, the video’s authenticity was questioned. The Elysee Palace first suggested it might be artificially generated using AI, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories. However, within hours, presidential officials reversed their stance, confirming that the footage was, in fact, real.

French broadcaster RMC was among the first to report on the incident, prompting a flurry of speculation. On social media platforms, particularly among anti-Macron groups and pro-Russian influencers, the clip quickly went viral. Comments ranged from accusations of domestic tension to jokes about “marital diplomacy.”

RMC’s post on X (formerly Twitter) read:

“🔴 In Hanoi, a sequence between Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron as they exited the plane is going viral: squabble, affectionate gesture, or a slap? The Elysee describes it as a ‘moment of relaxation’ before the Asian tour.”

Attempting to douse the flames, a close aide to President Macron spoke to the press, describing the moment as a “simple marital exchange” and dismissed any suggestions of real conflict.

“It was a private moment of closeness between husband and wife,” said the source. “It takes very little for conspiracy theories to take flight these days.”

The Elysee went further, labeling the event as a “moment of détente” before a serious state visit, and emphasized that most of the backlash and mocking commentary was originating from anti-French and pro-Russian online circles.

Ironically, the controversy has overshadowed the main purpose of Macron’s trip. The president arrived in Hanoi to kick off a week-long tour through Southeast Asia, with additional stops planned in Indonesia and Singapore. The trip aims to strengthen France’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region amid growing geopolitical competition with China and increasing Western focus on the strategic area.

The visit includes high-level meetings with heads of state, trade discussions, and a push to deepen military and economic ties. Yet, as of now, the buzz surrounding Brigitte Macron’s unexpected gesture has taken center stage.

While some analysts see the incident as an unfortunate distraction from a crucial diplomatic mission, others argue it simply reflects a human moment caught on camera—a reminder that even world leaders have private relationships with occasional tension or playfulness.

Whether it was a slap, a joke, or a misunderstood movement, one thing is clear: the world was watching, and the story took flight far beyond what anyone in the Elysee Palace likely anticipated.