Speaking on RTL radio on Wednesday, Tardif alleged that President Macron maintained a “platonic relationship” with Farahani for several months. However, some exchanges — which Tardif said he was forwarded by people close to Macron — “went quite far,” the journalist said.
Tardif said one message sent to Farahani said: “I find you very attractive.”
The Elysée, which initially called the reports of the slap fake news and later dismissed the incident as “horseplay,” has not given an official response. An individual close to the French president, also granted anonymity to discuss the matter, said Brigitte Macron’s team denies the allegations.
President Macron himself said last year the ordeal had been blown out of proportion and he was “joking with [his] wife.” Still, however, the incident attracted much media attention worldwide. Even U.S. President Donald Trump joked about it last month.
Farahani has previously shot down rumors of a relationship with Macron but has not publicly commented on the allegations in Tardif’s book.