New revelations from journalist Florian Tardif’s book A Nearly Perfect Couple claim that a flirtatious exchange between President Emmanuel Macron and an Iranian actress triggered Brigitte Macron’s infamous slap on a plane in Hanoi. The episode,captured on video in 2023,has resurfaced amid political baccklash and renewed scrutiny of the couple’s age gap and public image.

Vietnam plane incident: Brigitte’s slap and the viral video

The viral clip shows Brigitte Macron shovng Emmanuel Macron’s face as the presidential aircraft lands at Hanoi’s airport, an act she later dismissed as a “couple’s scene.” According to Tardif, the confrontation erupted after Brigitte saw a message from the Iranian actress on Emmanuel’s phone, prompting the physical outburst.

Book claims a "platonic" relationship lasted "a few months"

Tardif alleges that Emmanuel Macron maintained a "platonic" yet intimate correspondence with the actress for several months,exchanging messages he described as "going quite far." The author argues this hidden dialogue constituted one of the couple’s "forbidden zones" and was the catalyst for the heated argument aboard the plane.

Political fallout: Trump’s mockery and French leftist outrage

Former U.S. President Donald Trump mocked the slap, prompting French left‑wing MP Manuel Bompard to label the comment "unacceptable" and disrespectful. The incident has been seized upon by critics who question the couple’s compatibility, especially given their 25‑year age difference.

How the Elysee responded and what remains unclear

The Élysée later expressed regret for not being fully transparent about the dispute, saying the couple wanted to appear "real." Yet the book leaves several points unverified: the identity of the Iranian actress, the exact content of the messages, and whether any formal investigation was launched.

Who is still missing from the story?

Key unanswered questions include: Who is the actress referenced by Tardif, and why has she not spoken publicly? Did any senior staff on the presidential plane witness the argument, and have they corroborated the timeline? Finally, does the French administrtaion plan to address the alleged secrecy in future communications policy?