US President Donald Trump mocked French President Emmanuel Macron during a private lunch on Wednesday, April 1, ridiculing him over claims that his wife, Brigitte Macron, treats him poorly. Trump referenced a May 2025 video that appeared to show Brigitte shoving Emmanuel's face during a trip to Vietnam — a clip the French presidency dismissed as part of a disinformation campaign. "Whose wife treats him extremely badly. Still recovering from the right to the jaw," Trump said, drawing laughter from attendees. He mimicked Macron in a mock French accent, claiming the French leader declined to send military support during a conflict with Iran, saying, "No no no, we cannot do that, Donald. We can do that after the war is won." Trump responded by saying he didn't need help "after the war is won," and questioned NATO's reliability, calling the alliance a "paper tiger." He claimed he asked France for ships in the Gulf, insisting the US was already setting records in neutralizing threats. The remarks were captured in a video briefly posted on the White House YouTube channel before being taken down. On March 31, Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the US would "reexamine" its NATO relationship after the Iran conflict.
Trump dragging Brigitte Macron into a geopolitical rant feels like a scene from a poorly written political drama, not a presidential briefing. Using a debunked viral moment to mock an ally's personal life cheapens the discourse, even by his standards. In Nigerian parlance, this is like settling intra-household drama in a town hall — unnecessary and embarrassing. World leaders should focus on policy, not playground jabs.
