Featured Image Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/Getty
Topics: France, World News, Politics, Viral
Liv Bridge
A lip reader has lifted the lid on what they think President Macron's wife said to him just moments after 'slapping' him in an alleged dispute.
In case you missed the viral moment, Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte didn't seem very happy with her husband, appearing to 'slap' or 'push' his face, just as the presidential plane doors opened for their arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday (May 25).
The 72-year-old remained hidden behind the plane's fuselage, blocking any view of her other than her arm extending out towards the the french president's face where she placed both hands on him and appeared to give him quite a stern shove.
Meanwhile, a seemingly startled Macron was in plain view of the cameras and those awaiting his arrival and quickly tried to play it cool.
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The French couple then descended the steps from the jet together, though Brigitte appeared to snub her husband's gesture to hold his arm.
The 47-year-old politician has since spoken out about the heated exchange, saying it was harmless 'joking' around.
However, a professional lip reader has claimed the moment was probably a little more serious than they are letting on, as per Brigitte's body language when they descended the stairs.
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"As the aircraft door opens, President Macron is seen turning toward Brigitte. In an unexpected moment, she pushes him in the face. Realising the door is already open and staff are witnessing the interaction, Emmanuel appears uncomfortable and quickly raises his hand with a forced 'Hi,'" the lip reader told The Express.
A crew member on board the jet apparently then 'visibly flinches, brushing her hand through her hair in discomfort.'
As for Macron, he 'steps closer to Brigitte before composing himself and crossing to the other side,' the analyst continued. "Moments later, he signals for her to follow him with 'Let’s go'."
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With a thanks to the pilot and a wave to the camera - which the analyst said was the president attempting to recover his 'public-facing image' - the pair turn to the descent, which is where 'things turn icy again.'
"He offers his arm; she ignores it, clinging to the railing instead. As she passes, she appears to mutter, and lipread as 'Dégage, espèce de loser', translated in English 'Stay away, you loser'."
Macron reportedly responded: "Essayons, s’il te plaît," translating to, "Let's try, please?”
However, Brigitte allegedly replied curtly: "Non."
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The lipreader said: "His closing expression, and the phrase lipread as 'Je vois' translated in english 'I see,' says it all.
"Hot Take: A rare unguarded exchange that hints at deeper tensions between the couple. One to watch, especially with a packed diplomatic schedule ahead.”
Brigitte, who is 25 years her husband's senior, met Macron when he was a pupil at the high school where she taught French.
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The pair tied the knot in 2007 before he pursued his career in public service.
The analysis comes as Macron shrugged off any suggestions that the pair had a serious row.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said: "We are squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife."
He further described the media frenzy around the incident as disproportionate, calling it 'sort of geo-planetary catastrophe.'
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"Everyone needs to calm down," he added.
An Elysee official also played down the tense moment, denying it showed they were arguing.
"It was a moment where the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by horsing around. It’s a moment of complicity. It was all that was needed to give ammunition to the conspiracy theorists.”