Emmanuel Macron 'slapped by wife' as French President touches down in Vietnam

WATCH NOW: Emmanuel Macron appears to be slapped by wife as couple arrive in Vietnam

GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 26/05/2025

- 10:37

Updated: 26/05/2025

- 12:24

The French President and his wife are in Vietnam for the start of a tour of South East Asia

French President Emmanuel Macron has seemingly been "slapped" by his wife Brigitte as the pair touched down in Vietnam for the start of a tour of South East Asia.

The Macrons had been filmed bickering as the plane doors opened at Hanoi Airport.


As officials waited at the base of the plane's stairs to greet the couple, Macron can be seen seemingly be pushed away by his wife.

After being pushed away by Brigitte, Macron appears to notice the plane door is open, and offers a wave to the crowd and onlooking world press.

Macron

Emmanuel Macron was spotted being 'slapped by his wife' as they arrived in Vietnam

Reuters

Macron can then be seen walking towards his wife, not visible to the cameras in the front area of the plane, before walking off in the other direction.

The French leader then re-approaches the plane door, preparing to exit the aircraft and greet the Vietnamese officials.

Macron eventually begins the descend down the aircraft stairs, with Brigitte walking behind him.

His wife then appears to snub his offer of linking his arm, as they continue down the stairs side by side.

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Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron

Brigitte Macron appeared to reject the French leader's offer of an arm link as the couple walked down the stairs

Reuters

Delivering their verdict on the footage, GB News host Ben Leo branded the gaffe "deeply embarrassing" for the French President.

Ben told GB News viewers: "That's deeply embarrassing for Macron. I'd be furious if that was me.

"What on earth is she thinking? I'm just digesting this in real time, this is one of the most bizarre clips I think I've ever seen."

Echoing Ben's thoughts on the incident, co-host Dawn Neesom suggested that Brigitte Macron would be "well aware" that the plane doors were opening as she "slapped" her husband.

Dawn added: "She's not a stupid woman, she would've been very aware that that door was opening, and the cameras would be pointed on them. What do you think's going on here?"

Emmanuel Macron

Macron offered a wave out of the plane door following the incident

Reuters

Emmanuel Marcon is touring South East Asia to sign a number of bilateral agreements with Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The French President has already signed a major deal between Europe's Airbus and Vietnam’s low-cost carrier VietJet.

Macron is also set to reinforce France's defence cooperation with Vietnam, as he marks the first visit by a French head of state for almost a decade.

An Elysee official played down the moment, denying it showed an argument between the couple: "It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh."

"It was a moment of closeness," the official added.