Paris, France — Political leaders in France reacted sharply on Thursday, April 2, 2026, after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, mocked the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife during comments about military cooperation and global security.
Okay News reports that Trump made the remarks on Wednesday during a private lunch, where he criticised North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies over their stance on the conflict involving Iran. In comments later circulated in a video posted briefly on the White House YouTube channel, the US leader imitated a French accent and claimed Macron’s wife treated him “extremely badly”.
The comments sparked outrage across the French political spectrum. The President of the French National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, described the remarks as inappropriate at a time of global tension.
“Honestly, it’s not up to par,” she said. “We are currently discussing the future of the world. Right now in Iran, this is having consequences for the lives of millions of people; people are dying on the battlefield, and we have a president who is laughing, who is mocking others.”
Even critics of Macron condemned the remarks. Manuel Bompard of the left-wing France Unbowed party said he found the comments unacceptable.
“You are aware of the extent of my disagreements with the president, but for Donald Trump to speak to him like that and to speak of his wife in such a manner – I find that absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
Trump also referred to a May 2025 video from Vietnam that appeared to show Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, pushing the French president’s face. Macron previously dismissed the clip as part of a disinformation campaign and denied any domestic dispute, saying they were “joking as we often do.”
During the remarks, Trump described a phone call with Macron about sending naval support. He said: “I call up France, Macron — whose wife treats him extremely badly. Still recovering from the right to the jaw.”
He then mimicked a French accent to recount Macron’s alleged response: “‘No no no, we cannot do that, Donald. We can do that after the war is won,’” Trump said.
Trump also criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, commonly known as NATO, calling it a “paper tiger” and suggesting the alliance might not respond in a major conflict. His comments followed remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said Washington may reexamine its relationship with NATO after the conflict involving Iran.
The controversy highlights growing tensions within transatlantic relations and raises concerns about diplomatic tone during ongoing global security challenges.
