On a recent episode of The Five on Fox News, host Greg Gutfeld had viewers in stitches when he couldn’t contain his laughter over a viral video that’s taken the internet by storm. The clip, capturing a bizarre moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, as they disembarked from a plane in Hanoi, Vietnam, has sparked global chatter, memes, and endless speculation. The incident, which occurred on May 25, 2025, during the couple’s arrival for a Southeast Asia tour, shows Brigitte seemingly shoving or smacking Emmanuel’s face just before he stepped into the public eye. Gutfeld’s on-air reaction, marked by his signature wit and uncontrollable giggles, has only amplified the story’s reach, making it a cultural moment that blends politics, humor, and social media frenzy.

The Viral Moment That Stole the Show

The video, first captured by The Associated Press, begins innocently enough: the door of the presidential plane opens, revealing Emmanuel Macron standing at the threshold, ready to greet Vietnamese officials. But just as he prepares to wave, two hands—later identified as Brigitte’s—reach out from off-frame and push his face, startling the president. Macron, visibly caught off guard, quickly recovers with an awkward wave to the waiting press, while Brigitte remains out of sight. The clip, devoid of audio or clear context, is a perfect recipe for internet chaos: short, shocking, and open to interpretation.

Within hours, the video exploded across social media platforms, particularly X, where users wasted no time turning the moment into a meme fest. Posts ranged from playful jabs to wild conspiracy theories, with some suggesting marital discord and others joking about Brigitte’s “boss move.” One X user quipped, “French President Macron slapped by wife Brigitte on plane 😭,” while another added a WWE-style sound effect to the clip for dramatic flair. The Times of India reported that the incident “sparked a social media frenzy,” fueled by the Macrons’ unconventional love story—Brigitte, 72, was Emmanuel’s high school teacher when they met—and her prominent role as France’s First Lady.

Macron’s Response: “Just Joking Around”

As the video gained traction, Macron and his team scrambled to control the narrative. Speaking to reporters in Hanoi, the French president downplayed the incident, insisting he and Brigitte were “squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife.” He dismissed the online uproar as overblown, calling it “a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe” fueled by disinformation, particularly from pro-Russian accounts and French far-right groups. The Élysée Palace echoed this sentiment, with an official stating, “It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh.”

Despite these assurances, the public wasn’t entirely convinced. French media, including Le Parisien, ran headlines like “Slap or ‘squabble’? The images of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron disembarking in Vietnam trigger a lot of comment,” reflecting the debate over whether the gesture was playful or something more. Some observers noted Brigitte’s body language—she refused Macron’s offered arm as they descended the plane stairs—adding fuel to speculation about tension. Macron himself addressed the viral clip’s amplification by “crazy people,” suggesting it was the latest in a string of disinformation campaigns targeting him.

Greg Gutfeld’s Hilarious Breakdown

Enter Greg Gutfeld, the Fox News host known for his irreverent humor and knack for turning news oddities into comedy gold. During a segment on The Five, Gutfeld introduced the Macron clip with his trademark smirk, setting the stage for what would become a viral moment of his own. As the video played, Gutfeld burst into laughter, barely able to get through his commentary. “Oh my God, did she just smack him? That’s the French version of ‘know your place!’” he quipped, clutching his sides. His co-hosts, caught up in the hilarity, chimed in with their own jabs, turning the segment into a raucous discussion that had viewers at home cracking up.

Gutfeld’s reaction resonated because it tapped into the universal appeal of the story: a powerful figure caught in an unguarded, human moment. “This is why I love the internet,” Gutfeld said, wiping tears from his eyes. “One second, Macron’s trying to broker deals with Vietnam; the next, he’s getting facepalmed by his wife on live TV!” The segment quickly spread online, with clips of Gutfeld’s meltdown racking up views on X and YouTube. Fans praised his ability to find humor in the absurd, with one X user posting, “Gutfeld losing it over Macron’s wife is the best thing on TV this week 😂.”

The Bigger Picture: Diplomacy Amid the Drama

While the internet fixated on the Macrons’ plane-side scuffle, the couple’s visit to Vietnam carried significant diplomatic weight. Macron’s trip, the first by a French president to the former colony in nearly a decade, aimed to bolster France’s influence in Southeast Asia amid global trade tensions. On May 26, France and Vietnam signed deals worth €9 billion, covering Airbus planes, defense, nuclear energy, and more. Macron also emphasized France’s support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a nod to Vietnam’s disputes with China.

Yet, the viral video overshadowed these achievements, much to the frustration of Macron’s team. The incident highlights the double-edged sword of modern media: a single, out-of-context clip can derail a carefully orchestrated state visit. As The Washington Post noted, the video “deflected attention from Macron’s diplomatic agenda,” forcing the president to address personal gossip instead of policy. This isn’t the first time Macron has faced such scrutiny; a 2021 video of him being slapped by a bystander during a public event also went viral, cementing his knack for attracting dramatic headlines.

The Power of Meme Culture

The Macron video’s viral spread underscores the internet’s love for scandal and spectacle. Social media platforms like X amplify these moments, turning fleeting interactions into global talking points. The Times of India reported that memes ranged from “gifs of cartoon slaps to side-by-side comparisons with soap opera drama scenes,” with one user editing the clip to include a WWE smack sound. This meme culture thrives on ambiguity, and the lack of audio or clear context in the Macron video made it a blank canvas for creative interpretation.

The incident also reflects the Macrons’ unique public image. Their 24-year age gap and unconventional backstory—Brigitte was 40 and married when she met a teenage Emmanuel—have long invited fascination and scrutiny. The viral clip, whether playful or not, feeds into this narrative, casting Brigitte as a formidable figure unafraid to steal the spotlight. As one X user put it, “Brigitte Macron giving Emmanuel a shove is the energy we all need in 2025.”

Why Gutfeld’s Reaction Matters

Gutfeld’s on-air meltdown wasn’t just a funny moment; it was a reminder of how humor can bridge the gap between high-stakes politics and everyday life. His ability to laugh at the absurdity of a world leader’s public fumble humanizes the news, making it relatable to viewers. By poking fun at Macron’s moment, Gutfeld tapped into a shared sentiment: sometimes, even the most powerful people are just one awkward interaction away from becoming a meme.

The segment also highlights the role of late-night and talk-show hosts in shaping public perception. Like Stephen Colbert or Jimmy Fallon, Gutfeld uses humor to cut through the noise of 24/7 news cycles, offering a lens that’s both entertaining and insightful. His reaction, paired with the viral video, has ensured that the Macron moment will linger in the cultural zeitgeist, long after the couple’s Vietnam visit fades from headlines.

Conclusion

The viral video of Brigitte Macron shoving Emmanuel’s face on a plane in Vietnam is more than a fleeting internet sensation; it’s a case study in how modern media, social platforms, and personalities like Greg Gutfeld shape our understanding of global events. What began as a diplomatic trip to strengthen France’s ties with Southeast Asia has become a global punchline, thanks to a 10-second clip and Gutfeld’s side-splitting commentary. As the Macrons move on to the next leg of their tour, the internet—and Gutfeld’s viewers—will be watching, ready for the next unexpected moment to light up their feeds. 😂✈️