Macron hits back at Trump's 'wife beats him' remark: Neither elegant nor standard

French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at US President Donald Trump over personal remarks targeting him and his wife, saying, “Trump talks too much his remarks are neither elegant nor up to the standard.” He was speaking to reporters during a visit to South Korea.

The response followed a private lunch where Trump mocked Macron, claiming he was “still recovering from the right to the jaw” and alleging that his wife, Brigitte Macron, “treats him extremely badly”.

The jibe referenced a May 2025 video from a Vietnam visit that appeared to show Brigitte Macron pushing the French president’s face before they disembarked their plane. Macron had earlier dismissed the clip as “disinformation”, saying the couple were just joking.

Brigitte Macron, 71, has been married to Macron, 48, since 2007.

IRAN WAR REMARKS, NATO ‘PAPER TIGER’ CLAIM

Trump made the remarks while criticising NATO allies over their stance on the US-led conflict involving Iran. Recounting a phone call, he said he had asked France to send support to the Gulf.

“We’d love to have some help could you send ships immediately?” Trump said, claiming Macron declined and suggested France could assist “after the war is won”. Mimicking a French accent, Trump added, “I don’t need help after the war is won.”

He also questioned NATO’s reliability, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and warning it “won’t be there if we ever have the big one”.

ANGER ACROSS FRENCH POLITICAL SPECTRUM

The remarks drew widespread criticism in France, including from Macron’s opponents, reported news agency AFP.

Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the Assembly, said the comments were “not up to the mark”, especially at a time of global conflict. “People are dying, and we have a president mocking others,” she said.

Manuel Bompard of the France Unbowed party also condemned the remarks, saying that despite political differences, such comments about Macron and his wife were “absolutely unacceptable”.

French daily Le Figaro described the episode as “another controversial outburst”.

MACRON WARNS AGAINST MILITARY ACTION OVER HORMUZ

Amid the broader tensions, Macron cautioned against any military attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that France does not support such a move.

“Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by force This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic,” he said during a visit to South Korea.

Macron warned that such an operation would be prolonged and risky. “It would take forever and expose global shipping to threats from the Revolutionary Guards as well as ballistic missiles,” he said, adding that diplomacy remains the only viable path.

He stressed that while the strait is critical for global energy and trade, it can only be reopened “in consultation with Iran”.

SUBTLE REBUKE TO US, NATO REMARKS

Without directly naming Trump, Macron took a veiled swipe at shifting US positions. “This is not a show We’re talking about war and peace. Let’s be serious and not say one day the opposite of what we said the day before,” he said.

He also pushed back against criticism over lack of allied support, saying, “They can deplore the fact they’re not being helped, but that’s not our operation. We want peace as soon as possible.”

On NATO, Macron warned against undermining alliances through public rhetoric. “If you create doubt every day about your commitments, you hollow out its substance,” he said.

- Ends