Trump Criticizes Macron Sharply After Phone Call About the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump has recently expressed sharp criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron following a phone conversation regarding U.S. support in the Strait of Hormuz. This statement was made during a press conference held on April 1, as reported by the French publication Le Figaro.
During the press conference, Trump remarked that Macron "is experiencing harsh treatment from his wife" and is "barely recovering from a jaw hit," alluding to an incident that occurred during Macron's trip to Southeast Asia in 2025. This statement sparked widespread resonance, as Trump did not stop at general phrases but attempted to highlight Macron's personal issues.
Furthermore, the American president expressed a request for France's assistance in unblocking the situation in the Strait of Hormuz during his conversation with Macron. Trump noted that he had proposed sending military ships, despite the fact that the U.S. is independently "taking out the bad guys and ballistic missiles." This indicates that Trump believes the support from his European allies is insufficient in ensuring the security of maritime routes.
Trump also pointed out that many European allies are not showing enough activity in supporting U.S. efforts regarding security. He emphasized that many of them have stated, "We will be there after the war is over." These words reflect Trump's frustration with NATO, as he believes that the Alliance will not be present in the event of a major crisis.
The incident involving Brigitte Macron, mentioned by Trump, occurred on May 26, 2025, at Hanoi Airport, when a moment was captured where the French president's wife allegedly pushed him before exiting the plane. This incident received extensive media coverage, and Macron later explained that it was a joke between him and his wife, dismissing the situation as overly exaggerated, calling it a "geoplanetary catastrophe."
On March 17, 2025, Macron announced that France would not participate in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. He assured that the country would be ready to join escort missions for ships when the situation in the Middle East "calms down." This decision sparked a new wave of criticism from Trump, who stated that the United States does not need help from NATO allies in the war against the Iranian regime, adding that he "always knew the Alliance would never help the U.S."
After France's refusal to join the operation to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, Trump once again criticized Paris's position, stating that Emmanuel Macron "will soon leave office." This indicates that Trump is not only dissatisfied with France's stance but also believes that it could have political repercussions for Macron.
On April 1, Trump also stated that he is seriously considering the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO following the refusal of allies to support his position regarding the conflict with Iran. He labeled the Alliance as a "paper tiger" and emphasized that this decision "is not up for reconsideration." These words suggest that Trump is prepared to take radical measures in response to what he perceives as insufficient support from allies.