French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly responded to comments made by US President Donald Trump, dismissing them as excessive and lacking decorum. Speaking during an official trip to South Korea, Macron said the remarks were “not elegant” and fell short of expected standards.

Trump had reportedly made personal comments about Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, during a private engagement, reviving references to a widely circulated video from a 2025 visit to Vietnam. The footage had appeared to show a playful exchange between the couple as they stepped off an aircraft — a clip Macron had previously described as misleading and taken out of context.

The US President’s remarks came as he criticised NATO partners over their approach to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Trump claimed he had asked France to provide immediate naval assistance in the Gulf but suggested Paris was reluctant to commit during active hostilities. He also questioned the credibility of the NATO alliance, describing it as unreliable in the event of a major global crisis.

The comments prompted criticism across France’s political spectrum. Leaders from multiple parties, including National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and France Unbowed’s Manuel Bompard, described the personal attacks as inappropriate, particularly at a time of international instability. French media outlets also characterised the episode as another instance of inflammatory rhetoric.

Addressing the broader geopolitical situation, Macron reiterated France’s stance against using military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that such an operation would be complex, prolonged, and fraught with risk, potentially exposing global trade routes to further danger. Emphasising the strategic importance of the waterway, he maintained that diplomatic engagement with Iran remains the only sustainable solution.

Without naming Trump directly, Macron cautioned against inconsistent messaging on matters of war and peace, underscoring the need for seriousness and stability in international leadership. He also defended France’s independent position, stating that while cooperation with allies is vital, Paris would not automatically align with operations it does not support.

On NATO, Macron stressed that constant public questioning of alliance commitments weakens collective security and undermines trust among member states.