A video dating from May 29, 2017, has resurfaced on social media. It shows a particularly tense exchange between Emmanuel Macron and Xenia Fedorova, then a representative of the Russian broadcaster RT, during a press conference held at the Palace of Versailles in the presence of Vladimir Putin. Just a few weeks after his election as President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron was hosting his Russian counterpart for the first time. Facing the two heads of state, Xenia Fedorova questioned the French president about the treatment of Russian journalists during the presidential campaign.
Xenia Fedorova demands answers from Emmanuel Macron
Xenia Fedorova was referring to the refusal of access to Emmanuel Macron's campaign headquarters for several journalists from RT and Sputnik. Her team had denied some accreditations, accusing the two Russian state-funded media outlets of publishing false information and content designed to destabilize his candidacy. The journalist then asked Emmanuel Macron how he intended to work with foreign media after taking office.
The answer was unequivocal: "I have always had an exemplary relationship with foreign journalists, provided they are actually journalists.""The French president had declared to Vladimir Putin."
"Organs of influence and false propaganda"
Emmanuel Macron then directly implicated RT and Sputnik. "Russia Today and Sputnik were instruments of influence during this campaign, which repeatedly produced falsehoods about me and my campaign."he had declared. The French president had also taken responsibility for the decision not to welcome their representatives to his headquarters. "When media outlets spread defamatory falsehoods, they are no longer journalists, they are instruments of influence." »he added. Facing Xenia Fedorova, Emmanuel Macron concluded bluntly: "On this subject, I will not give in, not at all, Madam."
An "American agent" backed by a "wealthy gay lobby"
Among the publications most vehemently criticized by Sputnik was an article published in February 2017 based on statements by Les Républicains MP Nicolas Dhuicq. Dhuicq presented Emmanuel Macron as a possible "American agent" defending the interests of American banks. Nicolas Dhuicq also asserted that Emmanuel Macron's candidacy was supported by "a wealthy gay lobby"These statements fueled rumors about the candidate's private life and an alleged relationship with Mathieu Gallet, then president of Radio France. Emmanuel Macron publicly denied these rumors. No evidence had been found to substantiate the existence of this supposed double life or any organized support from a "gay lobby." Sputnik, however, gave the MP's remarks considerable exposure by featuring them in an article about the candidate's alleged hidden supporters.
Julian Assange promised "interesting" information
Sputnik also reported a statement from Julian Assange claiming that Hillary Clinton's emails contained information "interesting" Regarding Emmanuel Macron, the WikiLeaks founder had not provided any specific revelations to substantiate this announcement. The information mentioned mainly concerned Emmanuel Macron's professional background in the banking sector, which was already widely known and documented. For the candidate's entourage, however, the publication contributed to establishing the idea that compromising revelations could soon target Emmanuel Macron, just as the French presidential campaign was entering a crucial phase.
Patrick Drahi presented as Emmanuel Macron's "beneficiary"
RT, for its part, published an article suggesting that Patrick Drahi, owner of the Altice group and several French media outlets, had benefited from favorable decisions made by Emmanuel Macron when he was Minister of the Economy. The article presented Patrick Drahi as "Emmanuel Macron's crony" and sought to establish a political and financial connection between the two men. However, the accusations were not based on any evidence to demonstrate the existence of a secret agreement or a personal favor granted by the future president. The Macron camp viewed this publication as yet another attempt to portray its candidate as representing hidden financial and media interests.
A rumor about a trip to Lebanon paid for by taxpayers
RT also repeated a claim that Emmanuel Macron had been accommodated in the official residence of the French ambassador during a trip to Lebanon, at the expense of French taxpayers. This information was not accompanied by any evidence establishing the improper use of public funds. It was nevertheless presented as a possible benefit granted to the candidate during the campaign. Emmanuel Macron's entourage denied these accusations. This content was among the examples used to denounce articles based on innuendo or insufficiently verified information.
The rumor of the hidden account in the Bahamas
In the final days of the campaign, a false report also claimed that Emmanuel Macron held an offshore account in the Bahamas. The rumor, originating in anonymous online forums, quickly spread on social media before being mentioned by Marine Le Pen during the second-round debate. Emmanuel Macron filed a complaint for spreading false information. No hidden account in his name was discovered. Sputnik was cited among the Russian media outlets accused of contributing to the spread of this rumor. The agency disputed this characterization, stating that it only reported on the matter after the candidate filed his complaint. It therefore remains necessary to distinguish between content directly published by Sputnik and false information disseminated more widely by activist or pro-Russian accounts.
Vladimir Putin remains impassive
Seated a few meters from Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin listened to the response without directly defending Xenia Fedorova. The Russian president did, however, reject accusations of Moscow's interference in the French presidential campaign. He also denied any intention of favoring Marine Le Pen, whom he had received at the Kremlin a few weeks before the first round of voting. The Versailles press conference thus publicly exposed the deep tensions between Paris and Moscow surrounding propaganda, disinformation, and the role of Russian media.
A video that became controversial again in 2026
Nearly nine years later, this exchange resurfaced when Xenia Fedorova, president of RT France and later a columnist for several French media outlets, was issued a deportation order. The Ministry of the Interior accused her of disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives and undermining the fundamental interests of the state. Her residency permit was revoked and her assets frozen for six months. Xenia Fedorova contested these accusations and denounced a politically motivated decision that infringed upon her freedom of expression. The Paris Administrative Court rejected her emergency appeal, ruling that she had not demonstrated the existence of an extreme emergency.
