Macron Dismisses Drug Allegations After Viral Video Sparks Speculation Over Crumpled Tissue
On the way back from Kyiv on May 11, journalists unexpectedly entered the leaders’ cabin.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed allegations that European leaders used drugs together on a train to Ukraine, sparked by a photo showing a tissue.
“When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation stoops to turning an ordinary tissue into supposed drugs,” Macron’s office said on Sunday, accusing France’s adversaries of attempting to erode European solidarity.
“This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation,” the statement added, without specifying the enemy countries.
The post from the French president’s office included a zoomed-in photo of the tissue, with the words “This is a tissue. For blowing your nose.” The post also included a zoomed-out version, including European leaders embracing each other on the train.
“This is European unity. To build peace,” read the words over the second photo.
When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.
This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation. pic.twitter.com/xyXhGm9Dsr
— Élysée (@Elysee) May 11, 2025
The rumours stemmed from footage of a meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Macron, in which Macron is seen swiftly removing a crumpled white tissue from the table.
The video prompted speculation on social media — including from a spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry — with some users claiming the white object resembled a bag of cocaine and questioning Macron’s quick action in removing it.
And you need a spoon to blow your nose? pic.twitter.com/rA573tRWrT
— Hawkeye1812Z (@Hawkeye1745) May 12, 2025
Macron the Magician strikes… watch the bag of coke suddenly disappear pic.twitter.com/TgSkY0l75k
— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) May 11, 2025
World leaders are typically most morally bankrupt people with the most destructive vices.
Here we have Macron hiding his cocaine after his visit with Zelensky – the human trafficking drug addict pic.twitter.com/Tk0Kn3ziZE
— American Archer (@CalenArcher) May 11, 2025
Now Macron in slow motion… pic.twitter.com/RQsNC5Orye
— Angelo Giuliano 🇨🇭🇮🇹🔻🔻🔻 (@angeloinchina) May 11, 2025
What is that?? Ah, drug addicted folks casually taking train out of the Kiev friend 👇👇👇 Watch Merz and Macron hands!pic.twitter.com/Gx02i6xnUW
— Igor Lopatonok (@lopatonok) May 11, 2025
The episode is part of a broader pattern of misinformation targeting Macron, with similar false drug use claims dating back to his 2017 presidential campaign.
