By Ali Elias
United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh diplomatic controversy after mocking French President Emmanuel Macron and questioning the reliability of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during an ongoing conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.
Speaking at a private lunch on Wednesday, Trump ridiculed Macron in remarks captured in a video that was briefly uploaded to the White House’s YouTube channel before being taken down. The US leader also criticised NATO allies for what he described as their reluctance to support Washington’s military efforts in the Gulf.
“We didn’t need them, but I asked anyway,” Trump said, referring to overtures made to France for military assistance.
In a controversial aside, Trump took a personal swipe at Macron’s marriage, alleging that his wife, Brigitte Macron, treats him “extremely badly.” He referenced a widely circulated May 2025 video from Vietnam that purportedly showed Brigitte Macron pushing her husband’s face—an incident the French presidency dismissed at the time as disinformation.
Trump went on to describe a phone call with Macron in which he requested French naval support in the Gulf region amid escalating hostilities with Iran.
“And I said, ‘Emmanuel, we’d love to have some help… If you could, could you please send ships immediately,’” Trump recounted, before mimicking a French accent to portray Macron declining immediate involvement.
According to Trump’s account, the French president suggested assistance could come “after the war is won,” a response Trump said he rejected outright. “I don’t need after the war is won,” he added.
The remarks underscore growing tensions between Washington and its European allies as the conflict with Iran continues to unsettle global security dynamics and energy markets. Trump’s rhetoric also signals a broader scepticism toward NATO, a cornerstone of transatlantic defence cooperation since 1949.
“So I learned about NATO — NATO won’t be there if we ever have the big one,” Trump said, without elaborating. He further described the alliance as a “paper tiger,” echoing previous criticisms he has made about burden-sharing and allied commitment.
The comments come a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington may reassess its relationship with NATO once the Iran conflict concludes. “The United States is going to have to reexamine” its ties with the alliance, Rubio said on Tuesday, signalling potential policy shifts.
Analysts say Trump’s latest remarks risk deepening divisions within NATO at a time when unity is seen as critical to managing both Middle Eastern instability and broader geopolitical competition.
French officials have yet to issue a formal response to Trump’s comments, but previous instances of personal and political criticism between the two leaders have strained bilateral relations. The unfolding dispute highlights the fragility of Western alliances under the pressure of shifting global conflicts, with the Iran war emerging as a new test of cohesion among long-standing partners.