Macron criticises Trump over mocking comments about his marriage

Emmanuel Macron criticised Donald Trump on Thursday for comments the US president made about his marriage, saying they were "neither elegant nor up to standard" and did not merit a response.

Trump made the remarks during a private lunch in Washington on Wednesday attended by faith leaders and government figures. A video of the comments was briefly posted on the White House YouTube channel before being removed.

Speaking to reporters after arriving in South Korea, Macron expressed his displeasure at Trump's words without elaborating further. "So I am not going to respond to them – they do not merit a response," he said.

During the lunch, Trump mimicked a French accent while discussing Macron and his wife, Brigitte. "We didn't need them, but I asked anyway," Trump said, referring to France. "I call up France, Macron – whose wife treats him extremely badly. Still recovering from the right to the jaw," Trump added, referencing a 2025 video that appeared to show Brigitte Macron shoving her husband's face during a trip to Vietnam. At the time, Macron said they were "just joking about as we do."

Trump made the comments while criticising NATO allies for not joining US operations against Iran. He recalled requesting French assistance in the Gulf, saying: "And I said, 'Emmanuel, we'd love to have some help in the Gulf even though we're setting records on knocking out bad people and knocking out ballistic missiles. We'd love to have some help. If you could, could you please send ships immediately.'" Trump indicated Macron declined the request.

The remarks drew anger in France. On the strategic relationship between the two countries, Macron said the Trump administration was sending contradictory signals. "There's too much talk," he said, "and it's giving off in every direction. But we all need stability, calm, and a return to peace."