French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly worried that he could be assassinated by the Russians.
Russia Today (RT) reported on this revelation, citing a separate piece by the Marianne magazine. The weekly news magazine cited multiple sources – including some from the French Ministry of the Interior (MDI). The magazine also reached out to tipsters within the French leader's security detail, as well as Macron's erstwhile bodyguard Alexandre Benalla.
"At home, there is the fear of 'Kennedy syndrome,' that he will end up assassinated," Benalla said, alluding to the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, in 1963.
According to Benalla, Macron – who was first elected in 2017 – has always been concerned with his personal security. The French president had bolstered the ranks of his security detail right after assuming office. "As soon as we arrived at the Elysee [Palace], the staff responsible for the president's security were immediately doubled compared to those responsible for that of [Macron's predecessor] Francois Hollande," the ex-bodyguard recounted.
"There are two reasons for this. First, Macron makes contact within a slap range. Then, from the beginning, it creates a form of antipathy. It electrifies," Benalla said.
During his tenure as a member of Macron's security team, Benalla became embroiled in multiple scandals. During the Yellow Vest protests that began in 2018, he was captured beating up demonstrators alongside riot police. "The protests, which have plagued Macron's presidency throughout his first term and beyond, have left a dent," RT reported.
Medvedev denounces Macron as a COWARD
"The situation has deteriorated further as a result of Macron's determination to present himself as a hawk on the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv," the Russian outlet continued. An anonymous source "at the heart" of Macron's security detail said his security team has been working in "red" mode since at least last summer.
"Recently, he is provoking so much that he is afraid," the source told Marianne. "Since last summer, he has taken on some big guys to accompany him. They are more visible and also more effective in intervening in the event of a crowd movement."
According to the magazine, while Macron doesn't fear angry citizens, he fears the alleged "Russian threat." While he has repeatedly voiced concerns over "state-level" threats emanating from abroad in public, the French leader is pointing his fingers solely at Moscow as the source of such threats. In fact, Macron has even established a special task force to tackle it, according to a government source.
"Macron is totally freaked out by the Russians," said a senior official with the MDI. "One morning, he arrived at the intelligence services and requested the creation of a special task force on Russian interference overnight. Colleagues have to hold a meeting daily, [and] it doesn't excite them much."
For all his tough talk of insinuating a potential troop deployment in Ukraine, Macron's actions behind closed doors serve as a stark contrast. This led former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to mock the French leader's cowardice, which he did prior. The Russian official's taunt followed Macron's third instance of delaying a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council, posted in French on X: "Macron preparing to visit Kyiv? But he's a zoological coward." He also recommended that the French president's office pack "several changes of underwear" and prepare for a "strong stink."
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