e at Public Event

French President Emmanuel Macron has responded to controversy after a video circulated widely on social media showing him appearing to shove his wife, Brigitte Macron, during a public event. The incident occurred over the weekend during a walkabout at a political gathering in southern France.

In the video, Macron is seen moving through a crowd before briefly pushing Brigitte to the side, prompting online speculation and criticism over the nature of the interaction. Some viewers described the gesture as aggressive, while others defended it as a routine crowd-control motion in a tightly packed area.

Macron Addresses the Incident

During a press conference on May 26, 2025, President Macron dismissed the online reaction as a “gross misinterpretation”, saying his gesture was meant to guide Brigitte away from a sudden surge in the crowd.

“There was no aggression whatsoever,” Macron said. “I moved to protect my wife from being pushed by the people around us.”

He described the situation as “normal” in such settings and said the backlash was fueled by selective framing of the video.

Mixed Reactions Online

The clip quickly went viral, drawing millions of views and sparking a flurry of reactions. Some social media users criticized Macron for what they perceived as inappropriate body language, while others accused media outlets of blowing the incident out of proportion.

Supporters of the president noted that Brigitte did not appear disturbed and continued the walkabout without issue. The first lady has not issued a public comment.

Opposition Responds

Several opposition figures seized on the video to criticize Macron’s demeanor, framing it as reflective of broader concerns about his leadership style.

A spokesperson for France’s far-left party La France Insoumise called the footage “disturbing,” while some right-wing commentators accused Macron of lacking self-control. However, no formal complaints or investigations have been reported.

Political Context

The incident comes at a politically sensitive time for Macron, as his government faces public protests over reforms and sinking approval ratings. Critics argue that even minor controversies now carry outsized weight as his presidency navigates a challenging second term.

Despite the brief uproar, the French government does not appear to be treating the event as serious or requiring any official response beyond Macron’s remarks.

The controversy is expected to fade, but it underscores the increasingly intense public scrutiny of Macron’s personal and political conduct in an age of viral media.

Source; USA Today