Introduction to the Controversy

Video footage of top European leaders traveling to Ukraine by train recently sparked a viral controversy on social media. The footage showed French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a train carriage, with Macron appearing to pick up something white from the table in front of them. Conspiracy theorists, led by Alex Jones, claimed that the white object was a bag of cocaine.

The Origins of the Claim

European leaders were photographed on May 9, 2025, on a train heading to Ukraine for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing war against Russia. The images and videos captured by reporters were analyzed by conspiracy theorists, who insisted that something nefarious was happening. Alex Jones, a prominent conspiracy theorist, shared an image that had been altered to make it look like a bag of cocaine, further fueling the speculation.

The Conspiracy Theory Unfolds

Jones claimed that Macron quickly pocketed the supposed bag of cocaine and that Merz hid a spoon. He also stated that all three leaders looked "completely cracked out" and implied that Zelensky, who had hosted them, was a known cocaine enthusiast. However, an examination of the images and videos reveals that the white object was, in fact, a napkin or tissue. Getty Images provided high-resolution photos that allowed for a closer inspection of the supposed bag of cocaine, confirming that it was just a tissue.

Analysis of the Evidence

One of the images shared by Jones on X appeared to show a bag of cocaine, but it was later revealed that the image had been altered. The tweet from Jones also claimed that there was a spoon hidden by Merz, but further analysis showed that the object in question was likely a clip or zip-tie related to the binders in front of them, rather than a spoon. The French president’s office was forced to issue a denial, stating that the object in question was simply a tissue.

Response to the Controversy

The viral conspiracy theory garnered significant attention, with over 26 million views on Jones’s tweet alone. The French president’s office responded by pointing out that the object was just a tissue and that the spread of disinformation was being fueled by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. The images posted by Jones on X did not receive any Community Notes, the crowdsourced fact-checking program, highlighting the ongoing issue of misinformation on the platform.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the video footage of European leaders on a train to Ukraine highlights the dangers of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Alex Jones and his far-right allies have a history of spreading conspiracy theories about Ukraine in an effort to undermine the country and its allies. It is essential to approach such claims with a critical eye and consider the motivations behind them. By examining the evidence and analyzing the claims, it becomes clear that the conspiracy theory surrounding the video footage is baseless and intended to manipulate public opinion.