FACT CHECK: Image Showing Emmanuel Macron At Agricultural Show Is From 2023

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

An image shared on X purports to show French President Emmanuel Macron running away from angry farmers at the 2024 Agricultural Show in Paris.

Verdict: Misleading

Although the New York Times reported that farmers clashed with Macron at the 2024 Agricultural Show, the image shows the French President at the 2023 Agricultural Show and originally stems from Getty Images.

Fact Check:

Macron blamed the far-right for protests that occurred at the 2024 Agricultural Show in Paris on Saturday, according to Politico. Police sprayed tear gas at the protestors who reportedly “knocked over animal closures” as Macron ate breakfast with the head of the farmers’ union, the outlet indicated.

“Very tense situation at the Agricultural Show in Paris. Angry farmers are looking for Emmanuel Macron. Reports that Police officers were filmed locking farmers in wooden sheds at the Agricultural Show, after they had attempted to get Macron,” the X post’s caption reads. The post, viewed over 50,000 times, includes an image of Macron appearing to run away from a crowd of people. The post also includes a video of French police attempting to control an unruly crowd.

The claim is misleading, however. Although The New York Times reported that farmers clashed with Macron at the 2024 Agricultural Show, the image shows the French President at the 2023 Agricultural Show and originally stems from Getty Images. (RELATED: Image Purporting To Show Multiple Israeli Flags In U.K. Parliament Is Edited)

“French President Emmanuel Macron (L) runs to greet people as he visits the International Agriculture Fair in Paris on February 25, 2023, on the first day of the 59th edition of the fair. – The 2023 edition of the International Agriculture Fair runs in the French capital from February 25-March 5, 2023,” the image’s caption reads.

Likewise, the video included in the X post appears to have first been shared on the platform by French journalist Luc Auffret. Using the “@LucAuffret” watermark included on the video in the viral X post, Check Your Fact was able to trace the clip back to Auffret’s account.

“Extremely tense situation at the Agricultural Show. The angry #agriculteurs force the police and CRS roadblocks,” a translation of the post’s caption reads.

The scene included in the clip matches that of the viral X post, though it seems to have been filmed at a slightly different angle.

Furthermore, Misbar also labeled the X image of Macron running as misleading in a Feb. 25 article.

Protestors at the 2024 Agricultural Show called for Macron to resign amid month-long demonstrations over issues related to rising prices and European Union measures intended to combat climate change, among others, according to the same New York Times article.

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

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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