French President Macron Responds to Trump's Personal Remarks

Washington D.C. French President Emmanuel Macron has responded to personal remarks made by US President Donald Trump. Trump criticized Macron for not supporting the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and made sarcastic comments regarding his marriage.

In a private event, Trump made derogatory remarks concerning Macron's wife, Brigitte Macron. Referring to a video that surfaced in 2025, he mocked Macron, stating, 'I called Macron in France, his wife treats him very badly. Her right jaw is still healing.'

Forced to respond to Trump's comments while on an official visit to South Korea, Macron stated that Trump's remarks were neither civil nor appropriate. Macron's wife is 25 years his senior. Last year, the Macron couple filed a lawsuit against American podcaster Candace Owens.

Owens had suggested that Brigitte might be a man. This incident has further highlighted the cooling of relations between the two leaders. Tensions rose after France refused to provide direct military support for the US campaign against Iran.

However, France maintains a military presence in the Persian Gulf region. It is protecting regional allies by deploying air defense systems and fighter jets. It has also deployed maritime security forces near Cyprus. But France has refused to directly assist US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. France, along with Spain and Italy, has also decided not to allow aircraft involved in US bombing campaigns to use their airbases.

Trump's comments have sparked intense reactions within France as well. Left-wing leader Manuel Bompard called the remarks completely unacceptable, while Parliament Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet also criticized them, stating that personal sarcasm is inappropriate at such a time.

Although Trump and Macron showed a friendly relationship during their first terms, recently, as differences in international policy have grown, disputes have begun to emerge at a personal level.