French President Emmanuel Macron has addressed the widespread speculation surrounding a video showing an interaction with his wife, Brigitte Macron, during their arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam, at the start of a week-long tour in Southeast Asia.

In response to social media uproar, Macron stated that the moment, which some interpreted as a slap, was merely playful banter and not indicative of any familial dispute.

Speaking to journalists in Hanoi, Macron dismissed the interpretation of the incident, commenting, "My wife and I were joking as we often do...

Just three weeks ago, some people believed I was sharing a bag of cocaine, that I had my finger in the hand of the Turkish president, and now that I had a quarrel with my wife.

None of these claims are true...

So everyone should calm down."

The incident occurred as the couple was preparing to disembark from the aircraft, with footage showing Macron still inside the plane while Brigitte appeared to lightly hit him.

Although she was not fully visible, it raised eyebrows and led to rapid dissemination of the images, particularly via platforms frequently critical of the French president.

Initially, the Élysée Palace denied the accuracy of the video but later confirmed its veracity.

A source close to the president characterized the exchange as a simple "squabble" between spouses.

Further statements indicated that those critical of the moment were largely from pro-Russian circles, claiming it was a mischaracterization exploited by conspiracy theorists.

During this ongoing Southeast Asian tour, which also includes stops in Indonesia and Singapore, Macron's communications team has expressed that such exchanges highlight the human side of the presidential couple amid their public duties.