Elysee Denies Claim Linking Macron Slap Row To Farahani Messages
Journalist links Macron slap row to Farahani; Elysee strongly denies claim.
A renewed controversy involving French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron has resurfaced in French media after claims linking Iranian-born actress Golshifteh Farahani to an alleged private dispute within the presidential couple.
The speculation emerged after journalist Florian Tardif, a political correspondent for Paris Match, discussed the incident on RTL while promoting his book An (Almost) Perfect Couple. He suggested that a previously viral video showing Brigitte Macron appearing to push Emmanuel Macron’s face on an aircraft staircase in Vietnam may have followed a personal disagreement triggered by messages allegedly involving Farahani.
According to Tardif’s account, the alleged exchange between the French president and Farahani included brief, platonic messages, which he claimed contributed to tension between the presidential couple. However, he also stated that his version of events was based on accounts from unnamed sources and reiterated claims that have not been independently verified.
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The French presidency, through the Élysée Palace, strongly rejected the allegations. Officials described the claims as false and noted that Brigitte Macron directly denied looking at her husband’s phone or being involved in any such incident. The Élysée also emphasized that the story referenced by the journalist was not included in his published book.
The original footage, recorded during a 2024 visit to Vietnam, showed a brief interaction at the aircraft door that sparked widespread online speculation. At the time, the Élysée described the moment as a light, informal exchange between the couple, while Emmanuel Macron later said they were simply “bickering, or rather joking,” dismissing interpretations of a serious altercation.
Farahani, an internationally recognized actress known for films such as Body of Lies, Paterson, and The Invasion, has previously dismissed rumors linking her to Macron. She has publicly questioned the motivations behind such narratives, suggesting they reflect public fascination with manufactured celebrity relationships rather than factual events. The controversy resurfaced again after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump referencing the viral aircraft video during a public event, further amplifying online discussion despite repeated denials from the French presidency.
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