Edith Hejberg
“So I am not going to respond to them, they do not merit a response,” he told reporters.
Emmanuel Macron has criticised Donald Trump over comments about his marriage, calling them “neither elegant nor up to standard.”
The French president addressed the issue while arriving in South Korea on Thursday.
His response was measured but clearly signaled disapproval of the tone used by the US leader.
A video that briefly surfaced
Trump’s remarks appeared in a video posted on the White House YouTube channel.
The clip was quickly removed, but not before drawing attention in France and beyond.
Its short lifespan did little to contain the backlash that followed.
Macron refuses to engage
Despite the controversy, Macron declined to escalate the situation.
“So I am not going to respond to them, they do not merit a response,” he told reporters.
His approach suggested a deliberate effort to avoid fueling further tension.
Mockery at a Washington lunch
The comments were made during a private lunch in Washington.
Attendees included faith leaders and government figures.
During the event, Trump reportedly mocked Macron while discussing global security issues.
Imitating a French accent
Trump mimicked a French accent while recounting conversations with Macron.
He claimed that Brigitte Macron “treats him extremely badly.”
The performance drew criticism for both its tone and its personal nature.
References to a past video
Trump appeared to refer to a May 2025 video involving the Macrons.
The footage showed Brigitte Macron pushing her husband’s face as they exited a plane in Vietnam.
At the time, Macron dismissed any suggestion of conflict, saying they were “joking as we often do”.
Comments on military support
Trump also spoke about seeking France’s help in the Gulf amid tensions with Iran.
“We didn’t need them, but I asked anyway,” he said.
He portrayed France as reluctant to provide immediate assistance.
A dramatized exchange
Continuing his account, Trump described Macron’s alleged response.
“‘No, no, no, we cannot do that, Donald. We can do that after the war is won,’” he said.
He then added: “I said, no no, I don’t need after the war is won, Emmanuel.”
Criticism of Nato allies
Trump used the moment to question Nato’s reliability.
“So I learned about Nato, Nato won’t be there if we ever have the big one,” he said.
The remark added a broader geopolitical edge to the exchange.
Political outrage in France
French politicians reacted swiftly and sharply.
Yaël Braun-Pivet said: “Honestly, it’s not up to par.”
She stressed the seriousness of global conflicts compared with the tone of Trump’s remarks.
Concerns over leadership tone
Braun-Pivet highlighted the contrast between world events and Trump’s behavior.
“We are currently discussing the future of the world,” she said.
She criticized a leader “who is laughing, who is mocking others” amid ongoing conflict.
Support from across the spectrum
Even Macron’s political opponents defended him.
Manuel Bompard said Trump’s comments were “absolutely unacceptable.”
His response underscored a rare moment of unity in French politics.
A familiar pattern of controversy
French media also weighed in on the incident.
Le Figaro described it as “another controversial outburst from Donald Trump.”
The episode adds to a growing list of tensions between the two leaders.
