French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed mocking remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump about his marriage, describing them as “neither elegant nor up to standard,” while urging global leaders to focus on de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during an official visit to Seoul on Thursday, Macron declined to engage directly with Trump’s comments, stating they did not warrant a response. Instead, he emphasized the need for stability and diplomacy amid ongoing geopolitical strains, particularly surrounding U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.
“There is too much talk, and it’s all over the place,” Macron said. “We all need stability, calm, a return to peace — this isn’t a show.”
The remarks follow a controversial statement by Trump during a private engagement, where he reportedly mocked Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron. Trump also imitated a French accent and referenced a widely circulated 2025 video that allegedly showed a physical interaction between the French president and his wife—claims Macron has previously dismissed as disinformation.
The incident has sparked widespread backlash across the French political spectrum. Yael Braun-Pivet criticized Trump’s comments as inappropriate, noting that global leaders should remain focused on critical international issues rather than personal attacks.
“We are discussing matters that affect millions of lives, yet we have a president mocking others,” she said.
Even opposition figures, including Manuel Bompard, condemned the remarks, calling them “absolutely unacceptable” despite political disagreements with Macron.
The diplomatic strain comes amid broader tensions between the United States and its NATO allies. Trump has recently criticized the alliance—NATO—labeling it a “paper tiger” and questioning its reliability in major global conflicts. He also suggested that member states may not support the U.S. in the event of a large-scale war.
In the same remarks, Trump claimed he had sought France’s support in military operations in the Gulf but was declined, further fueling transatlantic friction.
As geopolitical uncertainties deepen, Macron reiterated the urgency of diplomatic engagement and collective efforts toward peace, warning against distractions that undermine serious international discourse.
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