New Allegations Link Brigitte Macron’s Viral ‘Slap’ to Secret Text Messages

New claims have emerged suggesting that the viral moment involving French First Lady Brigitte Macron and President Emmanuel Macron was not merely a lighthearted interaction, but a reaction to a private dispute. According to a new book, the physical altercation witnessed by global media last year may have been sparked by a controversial text message sent by the President to a prominent Iranian actress.

The allegations, detailed in the book A (Nearly) Perfect Couple, suggest that the tension between the presidential couple reached a breaking point following the discovery of communications between President Macron and Hollywood actress Golshifteh Farahani.

The Allegations in ‘A (Nearly) Perfect Couple’

Florian Tardif, the political editor of Paris Match, claims in his new investigative work that the “slap” seen on camera was a direct consequence of a private quarrel. Tardif, who asserts he spoke to over 70 sources—including the First Lady herself—alleges that the President maintained a “platonic love affair” with Farahani for several months.

Speaking to RTL radio, Tardif claimed that the messages exchanged were “quite advanced,” including sentiments such as “you are very beautiful.” He suggests that these communications led to the domestic tension that eventually spilled into the public eye during the couple’s official travels.

Official Denials and Counter-Claims

The allegations have been met with swift and categorical denials from both the First Lady and the actress involved. Representatives for Brigitte Macron addressed the claims directly with Le Parisien, stating that the First Lady “categorically denied this account” and emphasized that she “never looks at her husband’s mobile phone.”

Golshifteh Farahani has also consistently rejected any romantic connection to the French President. In previous statements, she has dismissed such rumors as “baseless gossip” fueled by a global appetite for scandal.

The Context of the Incident

The incident in question occurred last May as the presidential couple arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, for a Southeast Asia tour. As the aircraft doors opened, video footage captured a moment where Brigitte Macron appeared to shove the President in the face. At the time, the administration dismissed the event as the couple “horsing around” and sharing a joke.

The moment gained international notoriety, drawing commentary from world leaders. Most notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump remarked shortly after the footage went viral that the French leader was “still recovering from the right to the jaw.”

Who is Golshifteh Farahani?

The mention of Golshifteh Farahani has added a layer of geopolitical intrigue to the claims. Farahani is a highly acclaimed Iranian actress who has lived in exile for nearly two decades. Her career has spanned from Iranian cinema to major Hollywood productions, including:

• Body of Lies (2008), directed by Ridley Scott
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (2017)
• Extraction (2020)

Farahani has been a figure of defiance against the Iranian regime, having faced bans from her home country after appearing in films that authorities claimed promoted Western propaganda and violated Islamic law regarding the hijab. She currently resides in France.

A Pattern of Scrutiny and Misinformation

The latest controversy follows a period of intense scrutiny for the Macrons. The couple has frequently been the target of conspiracy theories and digital misinformation. In recent years, they have had to combat “false and fabricated” claims regarding the First Lady’s identity, which they have labeled as misogynistic attacks. Similarly, the President has had to address various deepfakes and unsubstantiated rumors regarding his personal conduct and official meetings.

As the book continues to circulate, the intersection of celebrity, diplomacy, and personal privacy remains a focal point of intense interest in France and beyond.