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Macron Rebukes Trump Over Personal Jibe Amid Iran Dispute
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Donald Trump’s personal attack on his wife while defending France’s stance on the US-Israel campaign in Iran.
President Trump Hosts President of France Emmanuel Macron from whitehouse.gov
French President Emmanuel Macron hit back on Thursday after US President Donald Trump mocked him and his wife while criticizing France’s refusal to fully support the US-Israeli operations in Iran. The comments mark a rare personal confrontation between leaders who had previously emphasized a cordial relationship.
At a private event on Wednesday, Trump derided Macron for not backing American military efforts, stating, “I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, (he is) still recovering from the right to the jaw.” The remark appeared to refer to a 2025 video in which Brigitte Macron seemed to push her husband aboard the French presidential jet.
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During an official visit to South Korea, Macron responded, calling Trump’s words “not elegant” and “beneath standard.” The French president has been sensitive about his wife, nearly 25 years older than him, and the couple filed a defamation lawsuit last year against US podcaster Candace Owens over false claims suggesting Brigitte Macron could be a man.
While European allies had initially supported US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program last year, the scale of the current campaign and lack of a clear strategy have reduced backing. France has deployed jets and air defense systems to the Persian Gulf to protect Arab allies and sent naval forces near Cyprus, yet Macron has refused to commit warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, France, alongside Spain and Italy, has blocked US aircraft from using its airbases for the bombing campaign.
The Franco-American relationship, once marked by personal warmth during Trump’s first term, has now shifted toward policy disagreements and personal attacks. Trump has previously shared private messages from Macron and impersonated him publicly, turning diplomatic tensions into personal sparring.
Macron appeared visibly irritated when addressing the remarks about his wife, reflecting his readiness to publicly challenge White House policies, including tariffs, during Trump’s second term.
The US president’s remarks triggered criticism in France. Far-left lawmaker Manuel Bompard called Trump’s comments “absolutely unacceptable,” while Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, criticized the US leader for mocking others amid global conflict, stating, “Our citizens are deeply affected, and during this, people are dying on the battlefield, yet we have a president laughing and mocking others.”
Editor’s Note:
The escalating personal and political exchanges between world leaders highlight how diplomatic disagreements can quickly spill into public discourse, affecting international relations and public perception. France’s firm stance on the US-Israel operations reflects both strategic caution and domestic sensitivities, even as personal attacks draw widespread attention.
