Macron-Brigitte spat caught on camera was ‘squabbling,’ says president’s office

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were filmed in what looked like a row as they disembarked Sunday from a flight at an airport in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The footage appears to show Brigitte Macron lightly slapping or pushing her husband in the face shortly after the plane door opens, after which he seems surprised. The French leader then turns toward the welcome delegation and waves. Before heading down the ramp, he appears to offer his arm to his wife, which she did not take.

Several French news outlets reported that Macron’s office initially dismissed the video, which was filmed by The Associated Press, as fake news before backtracking.

A presidential aide who was granted anonymity to discuss the incident played it down, saying the couple were merely “squabbling” and “letting off steam one last time before the start of the trip.” 

Social media accounts hostile to Macron seized on the footage, which likely prompted the Elysée’s reported initial denial. The aide who spoke to POLITICO said that the images were enough “to set off the conspiracy theorists.”

In recent weeks, the Elysée Palace has adopted a much more proactive approach to tackling fake news and disinformation on the internet.

The Macrons are on a five-day trip to Asia which takes them to Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore.