Emmanuel Macron has been praised for grasping Donald Trump’s arm and clarifying his incorrect claims during the interview.
The 47-year-old French president was forced to fact-check the 78-year-old Republican leader in real-time as he attempted to push the narrative that Ukraine had taken advantage of US support during its defense against Russia, with Trump claiming it was now time for the United States to be reimbursed during a press conference in Washington.
In an interview, Macron told reporters, “This war cost all of us a lot of money, and this is the responsibility of Russia because the aggressor is Russia.”
Trump then interjected, declaring with complete certainty that all EU help to Ukraine was in the form of loans: “Just so you understand, Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They get their money back.”
At this time, Macron interrupted Trump by placing his palm on his wrist and saying,
“No. To be frank, we paid 60% of the total effort. Like the US, loans, guarantees, grants, and we provided real money.”
He added: “If at the end of the negotiation, they are ready to give it to us, super, it will loan at the end of the day, and we will have paid for that.”
“If you believe that, it’s OK with me,” Trump then sheepishly replied, before maintaining his initial claim: “But they get their money back and we don’t.”
After witnessing the Fox News video, users took to social media to voice their thoughts on the exchange, with one person writing
“I have never seen another world leader physically halt another to clarify a fact. This is legit embarrassing.”
“Trump is embarrassing! America is humiliated!” penned a second, while a third chimed in: “Trump’s face as he’s being schooled is priceless. What a manbaby.
“Everyone should do more of this. Europe has clearly had enough.”
A fourth quipped: “I love Trump’s embarrassment when he is being corrected. So satisfying to see his smug face!”
“He needs someone like him next to him to correct him,” urged a fifth, as another praised: “Well done Monsieur Macron!”
And a final social media user declared: “Macron’s swift fact-check of Trump’s Ukraine claims was a masterclass in leadership – bold, sharp, and necessary.
“Trump’s bluster crumbled under real-time scrutiny, exposing his weakness on the global stage. More of this, please – Europe deserves a partner, not a showman.”
