Why French first lady slapped President Macron? New book makes startling revelations

PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after a new book claimed that an argument with First Lady Brigitte Macron aboard a presidential aircraft in 2025 was linked to alleged messages exchanged with Iranian-born actress Golshifteh Farahani. According to the book written by French journalist Florian Tardif, Brigitte Macron allegedly discovered messages on the French president’s mobile phone, leading to a heated exchange between the couple during a flight. The book claims that President Macron had sent inappropriate and romantic messages to Golshifteh Farahani and alleged that the two maintained contact for several months. One of the reported messages allegedly praised the actress for looking “very beautiful.” The author also quoted a close friend of the French First Lady as saying that Brigitte Macron was more distressed by the feeling that she was “gradually being erased” rather than by the exchange of messages itself. However, representatives for Brigitte Macron strongly denied the allegations, saying the First Lady does not check her husband’s phone. Golshifteh Farahani has also rejected claims of any relationship with the French president. The controversy comes months after a viral incident during President Macron’s visit to Vietnam in May last year. As the aircraft door opened upon arrival, cameras captured a moment in which a hand appeared to strike Macron’s face, sparking widespread speculation on social media that the First Lady had slapped the president. The footage spread rapidly online, but President Macron later dismissed the claims while speaking to reporters, saying he and his wife were merely joking and engaging in light-hearted banter.