‘A platonic relationship’: Book claims French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged private messages with Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani

A newly published French political book has sparked controversy after claiming that French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged private messages with Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani as part of what the author describes as a “platonic relationship”. The allegations appear in Un Couple (Presque) Parfait (“An Almost Perfect Couple”), written by journalist Florian Tardif, and have drawn international attention because the book also links the alleged exchanges to a viral 2025 incident involving Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron aboard a plane in Vietnam. However, no independently verified evidence supporting claims of a romantic or inappropriate relationship has been publicly released. The claims made in the book The allegations originate from Florian Tardif, a political correspondent for the French magazine Paris Match. In his book, Tardif claims Macron maintained months of private exchanges with Farahani, describing the relationship as emotional but “platonic”. According to excerpts cited by French and British media, the author alleges Brigitte Macron discovered messages sent by the president to the actress, including one reportedly stating, “I find you very beautiful”. Tardif has publicly defended the book, saying the material was based on conversations with sources close to the presidential couple. However, screenshots, official documents or independently authenticated evidence of the alleged messages have not been released publicly. Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani. How the Vietnam plane incident became linked The book gained wider attention because it attempts to explain a viral incident involving the French president and First Lady during an official visit to Vietnam in May 2025. Footage filmed as the presidential aircraft arrived in Hanoi appeared to show Brigitte Macron abruptly pushing or striking Macron’s face while they stood near the aircraft doorway. The video spread rapidly online and triggered widespread speculation on social media. At the time, Macron dismissed the incident as playful behaviour between a married couple and criticised online reactions as exaggerated. French officials later confirmed the footage was authentic after early attempts by some commentators to question the video. Tardif’s book claims the argument was linked to Brigitte Macron allegedly seeing messages involving Farahani during the flight. According to the author, tensions between the couple escalated before they exited the aircraft. Strong denials from Macron allies People close to Brigitte Macron have strongly rejected the allegations described in the book. French media reports quoting members of the First Lady’s entourage said the claims were “categorically denied”. Sources close to Brigitte Macron reportedly disputed the idea that she regularly checked her husband’s phone and rejected suggestions that Farahani had any role in tensions within the presidential couple’s relationship. No official statement from the Élysée Palace has confirmed the book’s claims. Golshifteh Farahani’s response Farahani has previously dismissed rumours suggesting an affair with Macron. The actress, who left Iran years ago and later settled in France, has spoken in earlier interviews about online gossip surrounding her public life and rejected speculation about any romantic involvement with the French president. Known internationally for films such as Extraction, Paterson and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Farahani has long attracted significant media attention because of both her acting career and outspoken criticism of the Iranian government. The controversy remains based largely on claims made in Tardif’s book and unnamed sources cited by the author. Neither leaked messages nor authenticated documents supporting the allegations have been made public. The story remains a subject of political-media speculation rather than an established factual scandal.