Bangladesh, May 27 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has laughed off the social media storm surrounding a now-viral video in which his wife, Brigitte Macron, appears to slap or push his face while the two were exiting a plane in Vietnam. The incident, which sparked a whirlwind of online theories and media commentary, has been described by Macron as nothing more than “joking around” between a long-married couple.

The footage, filmed on May 25 as the presidential couple disembarked in Hanoi, shows President Macron standing at the door of the aircraft, seemingly mid-conversation with someone out of frame. Without warning, two arms in red sleeves extend into the frame and push Macrons face – covering his mouth and jaw ...