A new book by Paris Match journalist Florian Tardif has reignited one of the most talked-about controversies surrounding the French presidency, claiming that the infamous slap Brigitte Macron reportedly gave President Emmanuel Macron aboard a plane in Vietnam last year was triggered by her discovery of text messages between the president and Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani. The book, titled An Almost Perfect Couple, alleges that the French leader maintained a platonic relationship with the 42-year-old actress over several months.
Speaking on RTL radio on Tuesday, Tardif provided details of his account, claiming that Brigitte Macron found a message from a well-known personality on her husband's phone and that the exchange included a text in which Emmanuel Macron told Farahani that he found her very pretty. The journalist asserted that certain messages went quite far and that the discovery prompted the explosive reaction that was captured by cameras as the presidential couple descended from their aircraft in Hanoi in May 2025.
The Elysee Palace and the entourage of the First Lady have categorically denied the account. Representatives for Brigitte Macron stated that she would never verify her husband's phone and that she personally told the author on March 5 that she had never looked at his mobile device. The presidential communications team dismissed the allegations as unfounded speculation designed to sell books, while emphasizing that the couple's relationship remains strong and united.
Farahani herself has also rejected the claims. The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in international cinema including About Elly and Paterson, responded to the rumors by stating that she believed some people lacked love in their lives and needed to create romances like this to fill that void. Despite the denials from all parties involved, the book has generated enormous media attention across France and internationally, dominating headlines and television news coverage since its release on Wednesday.
The incident in Vietnam had already sparked widespread speculation when footage appeared to show Brigitte Macron making a sudden hand gesture toward the president's face as they exited the aircraft. At the time, the Elysee dismissed the images as misleading and maintained that no altercation had taken place. Tardif, however, insisted on Europe 1 radio that he stood by his reporting, stating that he was certain of his information despite the official denials. The controversy arrives at a sensitive moment for the French presidency, which is already navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Iran war and rising domestic economic pressures.
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