Macron’s bag of cocaine vs tissue scandal explodes over social media

French President Emmanuel Macron is desperately trying to stamp out rumors that he was caught with cocaine on a diplomatic visit to Ukraine.

A viral video shows Macron greeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a train bound for Kyiv. It starts out innocuous enough, but eagle-eyed viewers noticed Macron hid a small white object as the trio sat down for photographs. It also appeared that Merz grabbed and hid a small spoon.

This has led to a quickly growing rumor that the white object was a bag of cocaine.

DEVELOPING: Macron, Starmer, and Merz caught on video on their return from Kiev. A bag of white powder on the table. Macron quickly pockets it, Merz hides the spoon. No explanation given. Zelensky, known cocaine enthusiast, had just hosted them. Connect the dots. pic.twitter.com/aROGuf06Nm

— Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) May 11, 2025

But the Elysée claims that the white, crumpled object hidden by Macron was a simple tissue. The X post called out “France’s enemies” for spreading “disinformation.”

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

“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,” the office wrote, adding a higher resolution photo of the object in question.

Likewise, French outlet Libération echoed the tissue claim, while also adding that the “spoon” snagged by Merz “looks more like a stirrer or a toothpick.”

X users had mixed reactions to the report:

It’s insane that an official account had to post this.

— Christopher Golds (@chrisgolds) May 12, 2025

looks suspicicous to me.. at how they really wanted to get those off the table asap

— kizikyourway (@RhondaT79756055) May 12, 2025

It was not worth explaining. We could clearly see the tissue paper, he took from the table being courteous.
Social media is so cruel…

— Dr Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) May 11, 2025

Where is the HQ video source from which that still was captured please?

— Jikkyleaks (@Jikkyleaks) May 12, 2025

There is a simple way to demonstrate the truth: Mr. Macron simply takes a drug test in front of impartial witnesses. Should not take more than 5 minutes of his precious time.

— Wafthrudnir (@Wafthrudni83936) May 12, 2025

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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