Overview

• Footage from Sunday evening shows Brigitte Macron appearing to slap or push her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, as they exited their plane in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• The Elysee Palace initially denied the video's authenticity but later confirmed it, describing the moment as 'a laugh' and 'a moment of closeness' between the couple.
• The video quickly went viral, sparking widespread media coverage and speculation about the nature of the interaction.
• Macron's visit to Vietnam marks the start of a week-long tour of Southeast Asia aimed at strengthening France's presence in the region, including stops in Indonesia and Singapore.
• The trip comes during a critical period for trade relations, with Vietnam navigating concessions to the U.S. that may affect EU trade interests.