A presidential slap in the face?

An incident filmed on the arrival of the presidential plane in Vietnam, during the official visit of Emmanuel Macron accompanied by his wife, quickly got viral around the world.

The images show what many people believe to be the French First Lady pushing and even slapping the French President.

The incident occurred moments after the aircraft doors were opened. In the images, President Macron can be seen talking to a person whose identity is masked by the camera angle to his right.

Suddenly, a red sleeve seems to push the French president in the face. Macron steps back slightly, then, realizing that the aircraft door is open and now visible to the cameras and media, he waves.

Moments later, it was revealed that it was First Lady Brigitte Macron, wearing a red jacket, who was behind the unusual incident captured by the media. The presidential couple then descended the steps of the plane, visibly marked by a certain unease.

The images, described by some as a push and by others as a slap in the face of the president, quickly went around the world, fuelling much speculation about a possible feud within the French presidential couple.

Questioned extensively about the incident, Emmanuel Macron assured the Associated Press that it was just a game, adding that he was simply joking with his wife: «We are squabbling […] joking with my wife».