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A Shove, a Shrug, and a Cultural Divide: Macron Video Highlights French Privacy
A brief video clip of French First Lady Brigitte Macron appearing to shove President Emmanuel Macron’s face as he exited a plane in Vietnam recently made a ripple – albeit a small one – in French media. While the clip might have dominated news cycles for days in other countries, it barely registered a blip in France, disappearing from headlines within 24 hours. This seemingly nonchalant reaction underscores a significant cultural difference between France and other nations, particularly those in the Anglosphere: a deeply ingrained respect for the privacy of public figures.
France has a long history of discretion when it comes to the personal lives of its leaders. This tradition shielded President François Mitterrand’s illegitimate daughter from public view for years and muted discussions around the controversial personal lives of other figures like Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Even when Closer magazine published photos of former President François Hollande visiting his then-girlfriend, actress Julie Gayet, while he was still in another relationship, the media firestorm quickly subsided after Hollande declared “private affairs are dealt with in private.”
While French outlets briefly aired and analyzed the Macron video, they quickly moved on. However, according to BFMTV journalist Thierry Arnaud, maintaining this traditional secrecy is becoming increasingly difficult in the age of social media.
“It’s true we didn’t make a big deal of it,” Arnaud commented, “but it’s deeply embarrassing for Macron. You’re intruding on a couple’s intimate moment.”
The Macrons’ relationship, with its significant age gap, has always been unconventional. Initially presented as a testament to a modern, loving family, it has become a subject of scrutiny and even outlandish conspiracy theories, forcing Macron to publicly address false rumors about his wife.
Despite a public display of unity following the Vietnam incident, the line between public and private is blurring for French politicians. The Élysée Palace, traditionally silent on personal matters, is now increasingly forced to contend with rumors and disinformation amplified by social media, presenting a challenge to France’s long-held tradition of privacy. The shoving incident, though minor, highlights this evolving dynamic and begs the question: how long can France maintain its famed discretion in an increasingly interconnected world?