A new book titled "Vous êtes tous trop durs avec moi" (You Are All Too Hard on Me) by editorialist Françoise Degois exposes a series of private messages exchanged between her and French President Emmanuel Macron over a two-year period. The publication, which Le Figaro reviewed in advance ahead of its release on November 5, offers a glimpse into the President's unfiltered thoughts sent via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, often late at night.
Unlike his predecessor François Hollande, who frequently granted interviews that were later compiled into books such as "Un président ne devrait pas dire ça," Macron has generally maintained distance from the press. However, the new work reveals that he engages in abundant written correspondence with specific correspondents. While philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy previously discussed similar nocturnal exchanges in his 2025 book "Nuit blanche," Degois provides a distinct perspective as an editorialist clearly engaged on the left.
The revealed messages depict a President who vigorously defends his choices and expresses indignation against critics, using strong language such as "mabouls" (fools) and "salopards" (bastards). Beyond these outbursts, the correspondence also highlights Macron's underlying anxiety regarding the potential rise of the National Rally (RN) to power in 2027. The book touches on sensitive topics including his resignation, the media outlet CNews, the wealthy, and his life after politics.
Sources: Le Figaro.