- Donald Trump’s private remarks mocking Emmanuel Macron and referencing Brigitte Macron had triggered outrage across France’s political divide
- French lawmakers, including critics of the president, had condemned the comments as inappropriate amid global security crises
- The incident had revived tensions over NATO and allied support during the US-led war against Iran
Remarks made by Donald Trump during a private lunch have set off a sharp backlash in France after footage surfaced of the US president mocking Emmanuel Macron and referring to his wife, Brigitte Macron.
The comments circulated quickly online and triggered condemnation across the French political spectrum, including from figures usually hostile to the Elysee.
Source: Getty Images
According to a report by the Independent, Donald Trump mocked French president Emmanuel Macron, saying he is treated “extremely badly” by his wife in a video briefly shared by the White House before getting deleted, on Wednesday, April 1.
“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly and he’s still recovering from the right to the jaw,” Trump said, seemingly referring to Macron being pushed in the face during an incident on a plane in Vietnam.
At the time, Macron said there was no “domestic dispute” and added that they were “joking as we often do”.
Trump was recounting a conversation he had with the French leader regarding military support, and said he had asked Macron to send assistance to the Gulf but was told France could only help after the conflict ended.
The French president later addressed the episode while traveling abroad, describing the remarks as “neither elegant nor up to standard”.
The reaction at home went beyond partisan lines as officials argued that personal jabs had no place amid debates over war and security, France24 reported.
French leaders slam Trump
Yaël Braun Pivet, president of the National Assembly, said the exchange fell short of acceptable conduct. “Honestly, it’s not up to par,” she said, warning that leaders were dealing with decisions affecting millions of lives.
Her criticism echoed a broader view that flippant rhetoric distracts from urgent international crises.
Source: Twitter
Support for Macron also came from unexpected quarters. Manuel Bompard of France Unbowed condemned the tone of the remarks despite his disagreements with the president.
“You are aware of the extent of my disagreements with the president, but for Donald Trump to speak to him like that and to speak of his wife in such a manner – I find that absolutely unacceptable,” he told BFMTV.
Conservative daily Le Figaro characterised the episode as yet another provocation from Washington, reflecting a sense that the comments crossed diplomatic norms.
Source: Legit.ng
