Emmanuel Macron’s private Telegram messages have been made public in a new book by French journalist and political commentator Françoise Degois, offering an unusual look at the thoughts, frustrations and political opinions of the French president.
The book, titled “Vous êtes tous trop durs avec moi” (You Are All Too Hard on Me), is published on November 5, 2026, by Robert Laffont. It draws on nearly two years of private exchanges between Degois and Macron, covering French politics, political rivals, relations with the media and his plans after leaving office. Extracts from the book were published ahead of its release by French newspapers Le Figaro and Marianne.
Degois is a former political journalist at France Inter, a former adviser to Ségolène Royal and a regular political commentator on television. Her book brings together messages exchanged with Macron through Telegram, revealing a more personal side of the president than is usually seen in his public appearances.
The correspondence began in the summer of 2024 after Degois publicly defended Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, who had become the target of online conspiracy theories falsely claiming that she was a man. Degois had spoken out against the claims on X, prompting the president to contact her privately.
“I thank you and my wife does too. Beyond political differences, what matters are your words,” Macron wrote in his first message, signing off with his initials, “EM”.
The exchange continued, eventually developing into conversations about the political situation in France and the decisions facing the president. According to reports about the book, Macron was not informed in advance that their private correspondence would be published. His office reportedly learned about the project only a few days before its release. Degois did not seek his permission before making the messages public.
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One of the central subjects in the conversations is Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly in June 2024 and call early parliamentary elections. The move produced a divided parliament and created a difficult political situation for the remainder of his presidency.
The left-wing New Popular Front coalition emerged as the largest political force in the subsequent election, leading to calls for Macron to appoint a prime minister from its ranks. Lucie Castets was proposed as the coalition’s candidate for the position.
However, the messages published in Degois’ book suggest that Macron had little intention of allowing the New Popular Front to form a government. Referring to Castets, he reportedly wrote: “Only she and all of you believe she could one day make it to Matignon.”
Macron also offered his own interpretation of the election results, arguing that the National Rally (RN), rather than the left-wing coalition, had ultimately benefited from the political situation created by the dissolution.
He rejected the suggestion that calling the election had been a reckless decision, despite the political difficulties that followed. “This dissolution, which cost me so much in every respect, still managed to block the RN there. I am sure of it. It was ready for the autumn but not for June,” he wrote.
His comments reveal that he continued to defend the decision, even as its consequences weakened his political position and complicated his ability to govern.
The exchanges also offer a glimpse into Macron’s private assessment of several prominent French politicians. Former prime minister Gabriel Attal receives criticism, with Macron suggesting that too much had been given to him politically.
“We gave him far too much. All the time. Far too much,” he wrote.
He was similarly dismissive of the political strategy pursued by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party, known by its French initials, LFI. Macron described the party’s approach as “crazy” but said he did not believe in it.
His comments about Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure were considerably more positive. Macron described Faure as “a good guy, a really good one” and encouraged him to consider running as a presidential candidate.
“Let him go for it, Olivier. The others are losers. If you take them one by one!” he wrote.
Macron also suggested that Faure had the ability to challenge Mélenchon politically, drawing on his own experience of competing against the left-wing leader.
The president’s relationship with the media is another recurring subject in the conversations. Macron expressed frustration with journalists who, in his view, published critical accounts of his actions without having spoken to him directly. He also complained about what he considered unfair or deliberately damaging coverage.
“Often, you and your colleagues, you are all too hard on me,” he told Degois. The remark eventually became the title of the book.
Beyond his assessment of political opponents and journalists, the messages also touch on Macron’s record in office and what he hopes to do after leaving the Élysée Palace.
In June 2026, he reflected on his time in power, arguing that his administration had made progress in several areas, including tackling separatism and improving purchasing power.
“We have moved in eight years. We have done a lot against separatism, for purchasing power,” he said.
With France’s constitutional two-consecutive-term limit preventing him from seeking another immediate presidential term, attention has increasingly turned to what Macron might do after his departure in 2027.
One possibility raised in the media was that he could enter the business world and work with a wealthy French entrepreneur. A report published by Le Journal du Dimanche on July 5 suggested that billionaire Xavier Niel could be a potential destination.
Macron strongly rejected the suggestion when Degois asked him about it. He also dismissed the idea that he would work for other wealthy business figures.
“I will not go and work for anyone. I prefer a small place of my own to a big place in someone else’s home. In any case, if I do business, it will be mine and I am thinking rather outside France. But I will be neither their employee nor in their debt. Never,” he replied.
The book arrives as Macron approaches the final months of his presidency, with his political legacy still contested and the question of his future beyond the Élysée becoming increasingly relevant.
By publishing nearly two years of private correspondence, Degois offers readers access to Macron’s personal reactions to political events, his assessments of allies and opponents, and his frustrations with public criticism. The messages also show how a conversation that began with a personal expression of gratitude developed into an extended exchange about the pressures and decisions of the French presidency.
