The French government has slammed a viral “cocaine” conspiracy theory as deliberate Russian disinformation after a misleading video of President Emmanuel Macron went viral. The footage, which showed Macron picking up a white object while sitting alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a diplomatic train to Kyiv, was falsely labelled by Russian state-affiliated media and far-right influencers as evidence of drug use. The French Élysée Palace quickly debunked the claim, clarifying the object was nothing more than a tissue.
This latest smear is part of a rising tide of foreign-backed digital manipulation campaigns aiming to discredit European leaders. With Russia accused of fuelling the narrative, the incident sheds light on the increasing use of social media disinformation as a political weapon in global geopolitics.
The Viral Video: How a Tissue Became ‘Cocaine’
On May 10, 2025, President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer, and Chancellor Merz were en route to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, aiming to push for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. During the train ride, video footage showed Macron reaching for a crumpled white object on the table—later revealed to be a tissue—while Merz was holding a plastic coffee stirrer.
Despite the mundane context, the clip was shared by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Telegram, where she mocked the leaders and alleged drug paraphernalia. She wrote:
“A Frenchman, an Englishman and a German were spotted with cocaine paraphernalia on a train. Completely (drug) dependent individuals.”
From there, the rumour exploded across Telegram, Twitter/X, and fringe news sites, amplified by known pro-Kremlin networks and far-right accounts.
Élysée Palace Response: “It’s a Tissue”
The Élysée Palace responded swiftly to the online storm. In a tweet from the official @Elysee X account, they posted a close-up of the object alongside the caption:
“This is a tissue. For blowing your nose.
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 direct rebuttal served as a textbook example of real-time government communication in an era of viral disinformation.
Fact-Checking the Claims: The Truth Uncovered
Multiple respected outlets and fact-checkers joined in to debunk the claim:
- Business Standard confirmed the item was a tissue, and Merz was holding a coffee stirrer—not drug-related items.
- Libération called the theory part of a far-right “depraved elite” smear strategy and traced the spread of the hoax.
- The Times exposed how the narrative was manipulated and amplified by pro-Russian social media groups.
In all cases, forensic video analysis and eyewitness confirmations ruled out any illegal behaviour, proving the allegations to be false and politically motivated.
The Role of Russian Disinformation
This incident fits a pattern of disinformation tactics increasingly attributed to Russian state-linked entities. France’s Viginum, the national digital security agency, has identified ongoing Russian attempts to destabilize European democracies through manipulated media content, including:
- Deepfake videos impersonating political leaders.
- Fabricated news targeting government policies.
- Social media posts aimed at dividing public opinion on immigration, security, and international aid.
The Macron cocaine smear is just the latest in a long line of targeted campaigns, often launched ahead of major summits or geopolitical announcements to derail Western messaging.
Why This Incident Matters
The viral reach of the claim—and the speed with which it gained traction—highlights key vulnerabilities in the current media landscape:
- Low-resolution video + out-of-context visuals = a potent recipe for misinformation.
- Social media echo chambers, especially on Telegram, X, and fringe forums, allow baseless claims to snowball before facts can catch up.
- Political actors, both domestic and foreign, exploit outrage and sensationalism to undermine democratic trust.
As governments rely increasingly on digital diplomacy and real-time social media engagement, the risk of manipulation only grows. Clear, fast rebuttals like those issued by the Élysée will be essential moving forward.
Reactions from Across Europe
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office did not issue a direct comment but confirmed there was “no merit” to the allegations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s team reiterated the French position, condemning the smear campaign as “absurd and politically motivated.”
Public sentiment was mixed—while most mainstream viewers dismissed the video as nonsense, the volume of engagement showed how potent misinformation can be, especially when wrapped in scandal.
Conclusion
The Macron “cocaine train” hoax illustrates the real-world consequences of digital disinformation campaigns. While easily debunked, these stories travel fast and stick longer than the truth. The coordinated response by the French government and reputable media proved effective in this case, but it also serves as a wake-up call: In the age of viral media, truth must move at the speed of lies.
As Russia continues to exploit these narratives for geopolitical gain, governments, journalists, and citizens alike must stay vigilant, demand evidence, and resist the allure of the sensational.
FAQs
Q1: Was Macron actually caught with drugs on the train to Kyiv?
A: No. The object seen in the video was a tissue. Multiple reputable sources, including Élysée Palace and Business Standard, confirmed the rumour was false.
Q2: Who spread the disinformation?
A: The claim was amplified by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and spread by pro-Kremlin social media accounts.
Q3: What did the French government say?
A: The Élysée stated, “This is a tissue. For blowing your nose,” and labelled the accusation a politically motivated fake news campaign.
Q4: Has France experienced similar disinformation attacks before?
A: Yes. According to Viginum, France has been the target of repeated digital misinformation campaigns, often attributed to Russian-linked sources.
Q5: How can the public protect against disinformation?
A: Rely on verified news sources, fact-check viral content, and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims—especially those with politically charged implications.
