French president Macron’s office responds to viral videos accusing him of doing co.aine with German and British leaders
French President **Emmanuel Macron’s office** has slammed **”absurd” drug rumors** after a viral clip showed him picking up a crumpled tissue during a meeting with European leaders in Kyiv. Social media users speculated it was cocaine, but the Élysée Palace mocked the claims, calling them **”disinformation spread by France’s enemies.”** The official account posted a close-up of the tissue, emphasizing the need to **”remain vigilant against manipulation.”** Russian officials were among those amplifying the baseless theory.
Despite the clarification, conspiracy theories persisted online, with critics questioning Macron’s **”suspicious” handling** of the tissue. The French presidency, adopting a **hardline stance against fake news**, dismissed the chatter as a deliberate attempt to undermine European unity. An anonymous official stated: *”It’s by denying them when they emerge that we weaken them.”* The incident highlights the challenges leaders face in combating misinformation in the digital age.
