However, French spin doctor Gaspard Ganzer praised the images, calling them “interesting” for both public relations and aesthetic reasons.
Mr Macron was keen to show not only that he was in good physical condition and “remains a person full of energy and motivation” but also that he was “ready to fight”.
Ganzer added that many French people share Macron's “body cult.” They go to the gym and sometimes undergo cosmetic surgery. Boys love to show off their big arms and muscles at the gym. ”
French first lady Brigitte Macron said in December that her husband spends 45 minutes training twice a week, especially with a punching bag.
In January, he released a video of himself at the gym wearing a French Boxing Federation T-shirt and boxing gloves slung over his shoulders. In the video, he encouraged French people to exercise for 30 minutes a day to get into the spirit of this summer's Paris Olympics.
He is not the only world leader to use sports for public relations purposes. Nicolas Sarkozy was often seen jogging or cycling. Rishi Sunak is said to exercise every morning on a Peloton stationary bike, and Barack Obama has shared photos and videos of him playing basketball, baseball and other sports.
Mr. de la Moissonnière published other photos of Mr. Macron in physical contact to counter claims that Mr. Macron was aloof and out of touch.
Among them was a centrist who wore an unbuttoned shirt that revealed a hairy chest during a rally in Marseille in 2022, sparking comparisons with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's preferred attire. This includes centrists wearing green hoodies.
