Macron Addresses Eye Condition with Humor Amid Military Speech and Online Reactions

French President Emmanuel Macron appeared with a visibly bloodshot and swollen eye during a January 15 speech to the armed forces, attributing it to a ruptured blood vessel and jokingly referencing the 'Eye of the Tiger' as a sign of determination. While many praised his humor and confidence, the incident sparked online harassment and conspiracy theories targeting First Lady Brigitte Macron, which French authorities have previously debunked. Macron’s address also covered France’s military priorities for 2026, including rearmament and support for Ukraine.