U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly mocked French President Emmanuel Macron during a Wednesday lunch meeting, using a French accent and suggesting Macron's wife Brigitte treats him poorly. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, Trump stated, 'I called up France, Macron - whose wife treats him extremely poorly.' The American president allegedly referenced a viral video from May of the previous year that appeared to show Brigitte Macron pushing her husband's chin during a state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam.
French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the mockery during a state visit to Seoul, South Korea, stating that Trump's comments were 'neither elegant nor appropriate.' Macron reportedly added that the mockery 'did not deserve a response' but commented on it nonetheless.
I called up France, Macron - whose wife treats him extremely poorly.
The incident occurred amid Trump's expressed frustration with European NATO countries, including France, Britain, and Germany, for refusing his demands to join a war they did not start and help militarily open the blocked Hormuz Strait. Trump reportedly said, 'We didn't need them, but we asked anyway,' regarding the European nations' involvement.
The White House YouTube channel reportedly published video of the lunch meeting where Trump made the comments about Macron. The French president's response was reported by French media outlet BFM.
neither elegant nor appropriate
did not deserve a response
We didn't need them, but we asked anyway,