Washington witnessed another controversial moment as US President Donald Trump took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron during a private lunch. Trump not only criticized NATO allies for failing to support the United States in the ongoing conflict with Iran, but also mocked Macron’s personal life, claiming his wife treats him badly.
In a video briefly posted on the White House YouTube channel, Trump recounted his conversation with Macron. He said, “I call up France, Macron — whose wife treats him extremely badly. Still recovering from the right to the jaw.” The remark referenced a 2025 viral video from Vietnam that allegedly showed Brigitte Macron pushing her husband’s face, though Macron later dismissed it as disinformation.
Trump explained that he had asked France to send naval support in the Gulf, despite America’s success in intercepting ballistic missiles and targeting hostile forces. Mimicking a French accent, Trump claimed Macron responded, “No no no, we cannot do that, Donald. We can do that after the war is won.” Trump said he rejected the idea, insisting help was needed immediately, not after victory.
The US president then turned his criticism toward NATO, calling the alliance a “paper tiger.” He suggested that NATO would not be reliable in the event of a major global conflict, adding, “NATO won’t be there if we ever have the big one.”
This latest attack on NATO follows remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that the United States may need to reexamine its relationship with NATO once the war against Iran concludes. Trump’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between Washington and its European allies, raising questions about the future of transatlantic cooperation.
