French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for making personal remarks about his marriage, calling them “neither elegant nor up to standard.”
Macron’s response came after Trump mocked him during a private lunch on Wednesday, where he reportedly imitated a French accent and made disparaging comments about Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron. Trump referenced a 2025 video that appeared to show Brigitte pushing Macron’s face, claiming the French leader was “still recovering from the right to the jaw.”
Responding during a visit to South Korea, Macron dismissed the remarks, saying, “Trump talks too much,” and criticised the tone of the comments.
The controversy has sparked widespread outrage across France, cutting across political lines. Yael Braun-Pivet termed Trump’s remarks inappropriate, stressing that global leaders should focus on serious issues rather than personal attacks. Even Macron critic Manuel Bompard condemned the comments as “absolutely unacceptable.”
French media also reacted strongly, with leading daily Le Figaro describing the episode as “another controversial outburst” from Trump.
The remarks came amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, as Trump criticised NATO allies for their stance on Iran, calling the alliance a “paper tiger.” Macron has previously dismissed claims surrounding the viral 2025 video, insisting there was no domestic dispute and that the moment was taken out of context.
