President Donald Trump disclosed that he contacted French President Emmanuel Macron following viral footage showing Brigitte Macron appearing to push her husband’s face during their arrival in Vietnam.
Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy questioned Trump about the incident during an Oval Office press conference, asking if he had any “world leader-to-world leader marital advice.”
Trump responded with characteristic humor: “Make sure the door remains closed.”
The president added, “That was not good,” drawing laughter from those present at the send-off event for DOGE head Elon Musk.
Trump confirmed he had spoken directly with the French president about the situation, stating, “I spoke to him. He’s fine.”
“They’re fine. They’re two really good people.”
The American president emphasized his relationship with Macron, saying, “I know him very well, and I don’t know what that was all about, but I know him very well, and they’re fine.”
During the same press conference, Elon Musk interjected with his own comment while sporting a visible black eye, saying, “I know a little shiner here.”
Musk later explained his injury resulted from “horsing around” with his five-year-old son, whom he calls “Little X,” after telling the child to punch him in the face.
The viral footage has overshadowed the Macrons’ state visit to Vietnam, which the Elysee Palace had hoped would demonstrate France’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
French officials have attempted damage control, with Macron claiming the couple was merely “play fighting” and denying any marital discord.
The incident occurred as the presidential couple disembarked their aircraft on the tarmac in Hanoi, with global media capturing the unexpected moment between France’s first couple.
Video footage from the Associated Press showed Brigitte Macron’s arms emerging from off-camera to push against her husband’s face as he moved through the aircraft doorway.
The 72-year-old first lady’s actions were clearly visible to cameras positioned below the presidential plane during the Sunday night arrival.
Following the push, Macron turned to wave through the open aircraft door, continuing with the planned arrival ceremony despite the preceding interaction.
The Daily Mail reported that body language expert Judi James analyzed the couple’s subsequent public appearances, noting they have engaged in “overkill” with their “denial rituals” to counter speculation about their relationship.
James observed that the Macrons have displayed “newlywed-style body language presumably aimed at making us forget the gesture” during their continued diplomatic tour.
The expert noted Brigitte Macron’s behavior has become “coyly submissive-looking,” with the first lady “clinging like a bride leaving the church” while holding her husband’s arm with both hands.
At a reception for French community members at the International French School in Singapore, Brigitte appeared in what James described as wedding-appropriate attire.
James pointed out moments where Brigitte “suddenly takes a more dominant stance,” reaching her arm in front of her husband with a pointing finger, creating an “off-message” appearance.
The couple’s synchronized public gestures, including clapping together and sharing a pen while signing registers, appeared designed to project unity according to the body language analysis.
This marks the third time this month that Macron has appeared in viral video footage, occurring as France reports being targeted by disinformation campaigns amid Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Previous viral incidents included falsely interpreted footage from a train to Kyiv, where some accounts claimed Macron was using cocaine when he was actually handling a tissue.
Another recent incident involved Turkish President Erdogan being filmed holding Macron’s finger during a summit meeting.
Macron has addressed these viral moments directly, stating, “None of these are true. Everyone needs to calm down.”
