A video shared on Facebook claims French President Emanuel Macron purportedly apologized to African countries colonized by France during a recent United Nations (UN) General Assembly speech.

Verdict: Misleading

The video’s audio is digitally altered. In the original video of the speech shared by the UN, Macron does not make any apology. A transcript of the speech indicates it took place in September 2022 and is not recent.

Fact Check:

Macron will award U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest medal of honor, during a closed ceremony Friday, according to The Associated Press. Milley is set to retire this fall, The New York Times reported.

“President Macron of France, Apologizes to African Countries Colonized By France, Promises A New Deal Going Forward. ©UCA,” the Facebook video’s caption purports. A male translator’s voice can be heard via the video’s audio.

The claim is misleading, as the video’s audio is digitally altered. In the original video of the speech shared by the UN, Macron does not make any apology. It is also worth noting that the translator sharing Macron’s remarks in English is female, not male. A transcript of the speech does not include the purported apology but largely focuses on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Furthermore, the transcript of the speech indicates it took place in September 2022, meaning it is not recent. This year’s UN General Assembly is slated to take place from September 5 to 19 in New York, according to an online event page.

Likewise, there is no mention of the purported remarks on Macron’s website or his verified social media accounts. In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports indicating Macron made the alleged remark. (RELATED: No, The Soviet Flag Did Not Recently Fly Over The Reichstag)

Check Your Fact has contacted Macron’s office for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.

This is not the first time a false claim has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked a social media post purporting to show anti-Macron protests.