Kremlin Mocks Macron’s Viral Moment With Wife
A brief moment caught on camera during French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Vietnam has become a subject of geopolitical satire after a Russian official used it to take a jab at France’s leader. The video, which shows Macron’s wife, Brigitte, appearing to push his face aside during their public appearance, has gone viral, drawing both amusement and speculation.
Kremlin Weighs In With Sarcasm
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova wasted no time turning the viral footage into a political jab. On her Telegram channel, she mockingly described the clip, saying Macron appeared to receive “a right hook from his wife.” In a sarcastic tone, Zakharova offered multiple comical interpretations of the gesture—wondering if Brigitte was trying to “cheer him up,” “give him a tissue but missed,” or “adjust his collar and landed on his face instead.”
She concluded her mocking commentary with a pointed dig: “Here’s a hint: maybe it was the ‘hand of the Kremlin’?”
Macron Laughs It Off
President Emmanuel Macron attempted to put the matter to rest by brushing off the speculation. Speaking to the media, he said, “None of these are true,” clarifying that it was just a joke between him and his wife. “Calm down,” he added, urging the public not to read too much into the light-hearted moment.
Despite the explanation, the French Foreign Ministry and the Élysée Palace have had to address media inquiries and clarify the situation, underlining the unexpected scale of the reaction to what was initially an innocuous exchange.
Fuel for Disinformation Wars
The incident comes at a time when France is increasingly wary of digital manipulation and influence operations. This is the third time in May alone that Macron has been at the center of viral video controversies, prompting concern within French security circles about targeted online campaigns.
While the video may appear humorous on the surface, its viral spread and politicized commentary underscore the complex information warfare landscape France and other Western nations find themselves navigating—especially amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine and NATO dynamics.
