New Book Revives Claims of Brigitte Macron Slapping Husband Over Actress Messages

A new book by a French journalist has thrust French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte back into the spotlight, linking a viral video from last year to alleged private messages exchanged with Iranian-born actress Golshifteh Farahani.

The claims, detailed in Florian Tardif’s Un Couple (Presque) Parfait (An (Almost) Perfect Couple), published on May 13, suggest marital tension escalated during a presidential trip to Vietnam in May 2025 after Brigitte reportedly saw messages on her husband’s phone.

Viral Video from Hanoi

Footage from Hanoi showed Brigitte Macron appearing to slap or push her husband’s face as the couple prepared to disembark the plane. The clip spread rapidly online, sparking global speculation about discord in the presidential marriage. At the time, Macron’s team described it as a light-hearted joke between the couple before an official engagement.

President Macron later played down the incident, urging people not to exaggerate what he called a private moment of jest. Officials initially suggested it might even be manipulated footage, before settling on the explanation of playful banter.

Book Links Incident to Alleged Messages

According to Tardif, a journalist known for covering French politics and previously associated with Paris Match, the argument stemmed from messages between Macron and Farahani. The actress, who has appeared in Hollywood films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, reportedly shared a “platonic relationship” involving emotional conversations for several months.

One alleged message from Macron reportedly read: “I find you very beautiful” or similar compliments. The book claims Brigitte saw the exchange shortly before landing in Hanoi, leading to heightened tensions. Sources cited in reports say the discovery caused the disagreement to worsen visibly.

Denials from All Sides

Brigitte Macron’s representatives have firmly rejected the allegations. They stated that she does not check her husband’s phone and described the book’s claims as false. Farahani had earlier dismissed rumours of any romantic involvement, attributing such stories to people’s own emotional voids.

The Élysée Palace has not issued an official statement on the new book so far. Allies of the couple continue to maintain that the plane incident was nothing more than harmless horseplay.

Background of a Controversial Relationship

The Macrons’ own love story has long fascinated the French public. Brigitte, 24 years older than Emmanuel, was his drama teacher when they met in the early 1990s in Amiens. She was married at the time with three children, one of whom was Macron’s classmate. Their relationship faced strong opposition from his family, who sent him to Paris to distance the pair. Yet the two stayed in touch and married in 2007.

Brigitte has been a constant presence in Macron’s political journey, serving as an informal adviser. The couple has no children together but maintains close ties with her family.

Public Reaction and Political Context

The resurfacing of the story has triggered fresh online debate in France and abroad. While some view it as tabloid fodder, others see it as highlighting the intense personal scrutiny faced by public figures. Tardif, who claims access to over 70 sources close to the couple, positions the book as an exploration of power dynamics and personal life at the highest levels.

As France navigates various domestic and international challenges, the personal lives of its leaders often become subjects of intense speculation. The timing of the book’s release has added to the buzz, just as political conversations shift towards future elections and policy priorities.

What Lies Ahead

No immediate legal action or further official clarification has emerged. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly private moments can fuel public narratives in the age of viral videos and instant commentary.

Observers note that the Macrons have weathered previous controversies through a mix of denial, humour, and focus on governance. Whether this latest claim fades or lingers may depend on further developments or responses from those involved. For now, it remains a contested account in the complex tapestry of one of France’s most talked-about political partnerships.