US President Donald Trump made critical and mocking remarks about French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO allies during a private lunch on Wednesday, according to a video briefly posted by the White House before access was restricted.
Trump reportedly criticised NATO members for not providing support in the ongoing war involving Iran, stating that the United States did not require assistance but had requested it from allies. He singled out France, suggesting in a sarcastic tone that Macron declined to provide immediate military support, and further mocked the French leader’s response.
During the remarks, Trump also referenced a viral video from May 2025 that appeared to show Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, pushing his face during a trip to Vietnam, an incident later dismissed by Macron as part of a disinformation campaign.
In addition to comments directed at France, Trump questioned NATO’s reliability, describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and suggesting it may not respond effectively in a major conflict. His remarks come amid broader tensions between the United States and its European allies over burden-sharing and military cooperation.
The comments follow recent statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who indicated that Washington may reassess its relationship with NATO after the conclusion of the conflict with Iran.