‘Neither elegant nor up to standard’: Macron ridicules Trump after US President mocks his marriage – The Times of India

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday ridicules remarks made by US President Donald Trump about his marriage, calling them “neither elegant nor up to standard.”The response came after Trump sparked outrage in France by mocking Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, during a speech and in a video that briefly appeared on a White House YouTube channel.

Macron said Trump’s comments fell short of expected standards, describing them as “neither elegant nor up to standard.” “So I am not going to respond to them, they do not merit a response,” Macron told reporters.The focus instead should be on “work towards de-escalation” in the Middle East and a ceasefire, the French President said. “There is too much talk, and it’s all over the place. We all need stability, calm, a return to peace — this isn’t a show!” Macron added.In the video, Trump made personal comments about the French president, saying, “I call up France, Macron — whose wife treats him extremely badly. Still recovering from the right to the jaw.”

He also mimicked a French accent while recounting an alleged conversation with Macron over support in the Gulf, saying, “‘No no no, we cannot do that, Donald. We can do that after the war is won.’” Trump added, “I said, ‘No no, I don’t need after the war is won Emmanuel.’”

The US president was referring to a May 2025 viral video that appeared to show Brigitte Macron pushing his face during a visit to Vietnam, a claim Macron had earlier dismissed.At the time, Macron rejected suggestions of any dispute, saying the couple were “joking as we often do.” Trump also criticised Nato allies for not supporting military action against Iran describing the alliance as a “paper tiger.” “So I learned about Nato– Nato won’t be there if we ever have the big one, you know what I mean by the big one,” he added, without elaborating. The French president’s response comes amid heightened global tensions, with France and other allies closely watching developments in West Asia.Trump’s remarks drew sharp reactions across the French political spectrum. Yael Braun-Pivet, president of France’s lower house of parliament, said, “Honestly, it’s not up to par.” “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,” she told franceinfo.Even opposition leaders criticised Trump’s comments. Manuel Bompard of the France Unbowed party said, “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.”