PARIS, France — Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, April 2, 2026, criticised remarks by Donald Trump after the American leader made personal comments about the French president and renewed criticism of France’s refusal to support U.S. military operations against Iran.
Mr Trump, speaking at a private event on Wednesday, criticised Mr Macron for declining to join the U.S.-Israeli campaign in Iran and made remarks about his relationship with his wife.
“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, (he is) still recovering from the right to the jaw,” Mr Trump said, referring to a widely circulated 2025 video involving Brigitte Macron.
Macron Responds During Official Visit
Asked about the comments during an official visit to South Korea, Mr Macron said the remarks “weren’t elegant, and they weren’t up to par.”
The French leader did not elaborate further but appeared visibly irritated by the exchange, which comes amid broader disagreements between the two countries over the conflict in Iran.
Divergence on Iran Policy
France has declined to participate directly in the U.S.-Israeli offensive, despite deploying military assets to the Persian Gulf region to protect allied interests.
French forces have included jets and air defence systems, as well as naval deployments near Cyprus.
However, Paris has refused to provide naval support for efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has drawn criticism from Washington.
France has also joined other European countries, including Spain and Italy, in restricting the use of its airbases for U.S. aircraft involved in the campaign.
Growing Diplomatic Strain
The exchange highlights a deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who had previously described their relationship as friendly, particularly during Mr Trump’s first term.
In recent months, tensions have increased over international policy, including military strategy and trade issues, with both leaders publicly criticising each other’s positions.
Reaction in France
Mr Trump’s remarks drew criticism from French political figures.
Manuel Bompard, a lawmaker, described the comments as “absolutely unacceptable,” while Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, said the timing was inappropriate given the broader global situation.
“We are currently discussing the future of the world,” she said. “We see that our countrymen are extremely affected, and during this, there are people dying on the battlefield, and we have a president who is laughing, who is mocking others.”
The episode underscores the widening divide between Washington and key European allies as the conflict in Iran continues.
