From Macron’s last year’s viral ‘slapgate’ moment to alleged messages exchanged between Macron and Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani, the book details it all.
Here’s a breakdown of everything that has happened so far.
The viral Vietnam moment
The controversy took place in May 2025, when Macron and Brigitte arrived in Vietnam for an official Southeast Asia visit.
A video from the trip quickly went viral online after it appeared to show Brigitte abruptly pushing Macron’s face away as the couple prepared to step off their plane in Hanoi.
The clip triggered speculation about possible tensions between the couple.
At the time, the French presidency dismissed the incident as ‘horseplay,’ while Macron himself later insisted the moment had been blown out of proportion.
“We were joking,” the French president said afterward. Still, the moment continued circulating online for weeks and even US President Donald Trump joked about it last month.
What the new book claims
The incident is back in the spotlight because of the newly released book. According to the book, Brigitte allegedly got upset after discovering messages exchanged between Macron and Farahani on his phone.
Tardif reportedly described the connection between Macron and the actress as a ‘platonic relationship,’ though he also claimed some of the exchanges “went quite far.”
Speaking on RTL radio, the journalist alleged that Farahani once told Macron, “I find you very attractive.” Macron allegedly replied, “I find you very pretty.”
Tardif further claimed the discovery of the messages “led to tensions within the couple, which resulted in this private scene becoming public,” while speaking with RTL.
Denials from Macron’s camp
People close to Brigitte Macron have strongly denied the claims. According to POLITICO, a source close to her said she “has categorically denied” that the viral moment was connected to any alleged relationship or messages.
Another individual close to Macron also denied the allegations. Meanwhile, the Élysée Palace has not issued a fresh official statement beyond its earlier dismissal of the incident as ‘fake news’
Farahani has also not publicly responded to the latest claims. The actress had previously denied rumours of any romantic involvement with Macron.
