Macron publicly correcting Trump's falsehood

[dayoffvibes]

For those keenly following events in geopolitics at the moment... After a depressing and concerning few weeks, what a refreshing and cheering sight to see Macron publicly interrupting Trump to correct him about another one of his falsehoods today. Hurray for strong leadership at last from Europe! Go Macron! He was on fire. So great to see him unafraid to challenge Trump's rubbish. Let's hope Starmer can speak truth on Thursday as well.

Here's the clip. Watch from 1.20ish for that moment, but the whole clip is worth a watch imo. Trumps face at being corrected - he was seething. I do hope it doesn't come back to bite us but Macron was absolutely right to be so clear and forthright and stand up to the bully.

Impressive.
Labour voter so not a dig, but can you imagine Starmer challenging him like that?

Labour voter also. I'm waiting with bated breath to be honest.

I said when Starmer was elected that I believe he's much stronger and more ruthless than people always assume (due to his slightly technocratic / boring demeanour and lack of inspiring oracy). So far we've seen that ruthlessness around things like decisions over sackings, but he's not been challenged to anything like this level before - in fact this situation could be the challenge of his (our) lifetime.

So we will see if he steps up, and how. It's incredibly difficult and I don't envy him. Macron has much more experience and knows Trump from his first term so Starmer is somewhat on the back foot, however he does have a stonking majority the like of which Trump would secretly long to have himself, so he's probably earned his respect on that front.

I love that! Vive la France!

Good for him.. why does trump think it was a loan??

Vive La France, I hope one day we go back to the EU.

I don't think Starmer will be saying much different to Macron in terms of the discussions

Surely it'll just be a reiteration of same things

Macron has the skills and manner to deliver this blow with charm. Whatever his faults politically, he is a fantastic statesman.

He did do it well tbf

The whole thing was very interesting

@EasternStandard yes they will have coordinated but the impressive thing was how Macron responded in the moment to Trumps false musings. It will be interesting to see go to see how Starmer fares.

@OldChairMan I agree, I think he's fantastic and I'm sorry he's not got long left as I feel we need him.

Usually I'm really not a fan of Macron, but he's superb in this press conference.

The contrast between the two leaders is stark, to say the least!

1. Trump gets his information from an insular pool of sycophants who reinforce his own theories and from X / Fox News.

1. He wants to paint the picture of poor America losing all this money on ungrateful Europe so it suits that narrative to say it was a loan

The way Macron put his hand on Trump's arm as he corrected him... perfection!

Starmer's not as smooth and natural as Macron but am hoping he will stand his ground in his own way.

"The way Macron put his hand on Trump's arm as he corrected him... perfection!"

Bet the Donald hated that 🤣

very articulate and measured

Disinformation yet again from him, if he says it’s a loan he can complain about not getting it back like the US has been ripped off somehow, I think he knows the truth but it doesn’t fit his narrative.

It’s a shame though he also didn’t point out that USA singed a deal during Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament, along with Russian for that matter, to not use economics threats, and for USA to provide , free of charges , defensive support.

But it was a start….

you could see him biting his lip during trumps “mineral deal “ ramble..agian he should have stepped in and said “you are breaking the 1994 memorandum thst usa signed to agree to not exert economic pressure on Ukraine “

2 chances missed.

trump and Russia are only interested in getting their hands on Ukraine’s assets - they have 5% of worlds total mineral deposits including graphite and lithium - oh, like what’s needed by musk? But also titanium and uranium . Ukraine , ifvthey weren’t spending money on protecting their borders, would go back to being one of the wealthiest nations in the world. And a boast to Eu Funding. But Russia and now America want to get hold of it. This deal is all about USA and Russia doing a deal togther on dividing up spoils. Of course they don’t want ukriane in negotiations. They’re not negotiating ukriane…only its minerals

"Starmer's not as smooth and natural as Macron but am hoping he will stand his ground in his own way"
In the geopolitical equivalent of looking kind of sturdily stylish wearing an anorak in the Paris rain while everyone else is huddling under plastic ponchos, kind of way. Hope so.

Everything sounds better with a Gallic twang.

He was superb.

I think Starmer has to be so careful not to offend, he’s walking a bit of a tightrope. He’s got to have substantial and difficult discussions because without them nothing will be achieved, but if he pushes too hard he could just get shut down, and again, nothing would be achieved. Macron carried that off with some charm - I’m not sure Starmer has the same skill set, whilst undoubtedly completely capable, I think he will need a different approach.

Yeah, this. Had the look of a younger man politely correcting his confused radicalised uncle.

Macron can put his hand on my arm any day.

He doesn't. I imagine he's just trying to boost his own argument that America has a claim on Ukraine's minerals by saying the Europe is also being paid back.

• He wants to paint the picture of poor America losing all this money on ungrateful Europe so it suits that narrative to say it was a loan

Well that's what I thought, but saying it in front of macron when it's a blatant lie just seems stupid. Maybe he didn't think he'd be challenged I guess. I was wondering if I was missing something

Loved it! I'm glad we got Macron before Starmer.