Elysée Plays Down Apparent Shove from Brigitte Macron as French President Arrives in Vietnam

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron react as they pose for photos during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 26, 2025. NHAC NGUYEN/Pool via REUTERS

Hanoi, May 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Elysée Palace on Monday dismissed speculation over an apparent shove by Brigitte Macron toward French President Emmanuel Macron as the couple arrived in Vietnam, describing the moment as light-hearted and misinterpreted.

In widely circulated footage, Brigitte Macron appeared to gently push the president’s face as he prepared to descend the stairs of the presidential aircraft late Sunday. The French leader briefly stepped back before regaining composure and waving to onlookers on the tarmac.

The First Lady was partially obscured by the plane’s fuselage immediately afterward, making it difficult to interpret the full interaction. The couple then proceeded down the staircase together.

An Elysée official downplayed the incident, denying any suggestion of tension 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,” the official said. “It was a moment of closeness.”

President Macron’s visit to Vietnam is the first by a French head of state in nearly a decade and is aimed at strengthening France’s regional presence in Southeast Asia, including in its former colonial territories.

The trip also comes amid rising trade tensions. Vietnam, an export-driven economy, has been under pressure from U.S. trade demands. Brussels has expressed concern that Vietnam’s efforts to increase purchases of U.S. goods could undermine European trade interests.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on European Union imports, but later softened his position, reinstating a July 9 deadline for continued trade negotiations.