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France’s First Lady at the Center of Controversy: What Does the Law Say About a Presidential Slap?

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According to Article 222-13 of the French Penal Code, “an assault on a public official, including the President of the Republic, constitutes a criminal offense and is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of €45,000.”

And it is precisely such a “slap” that the entire internet is now talking about.

A viral video captured at Hanoi Airport during the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron in Vietnam appears to show two hands — seemingly those of First Lady Brigitte Macron — striking her husband’s face just moments before he stepped off the presidential plane.

The footage spread rapidly online, sparking heated debate between those who saw it as a playful marital moment and others who interpreted it as a tense dispute caught on international cameras.

President Macron responded with a smile and an official wave, while Brigitte avoided his hand and leaned against the railing, further fueling speculation.

Under French law, although such an act would typically be prosecuted as a criminal offense, in this case, it would require the President himself to file a formal complaint to initiate legal proceedings — something highly unlikely under the current circumstances.

To add to the ambiguity, the Élysée Palace has expressed doubts about the authenticity of the video, suggesting it may have been altered or created using artificial intelligence (deepfake).

As the footage continues to circulate, one thing is certain — the moment has placed France’s First Lady squarely in the spotlight, raising both legal and ethical questions about what really happened on that airport runway.

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