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.

I just can't see how the press conference will be much different. Starmer wants the same things and Trump will cover the same ground.

I guess we'll see but it feels like there only needed to be one press conference

Well done Macron, I look forward to seeing how Starmer gets on.

Yes agree, very well handled by Macron there. Good to see.

It was really good to watch. Macron was brilliant at the fireside chat and the press conference. His diplomacy and statesmanship were impressive. I have zero faith that Starmer can do the same, but we'll see on Thursday.
Let's all hope that Macron dragged Trump outside of his echo chamber long enough to tell him some truths.

According to an article in the Telegraph a couple of weeks ago, he isn’t even in charge but was the creation of spin doctor Morgan McSweeney to get Corbyn out.

Ahh the dear old Telegraph, that bastion of rational, impartial and thoughtful print.

Give Sir Keir Starmer a chance. He was a QC and Director of Public Prosecutions so hardly a shrinking Violet. He lets Trump-wannabe Kemi Badenoch make a fool of herself every PMQs so I bet he can handle DT.

Yes, I agree with this.

In fact, I CAN see Starmer behaving similarly to Macron, given the right situation.

A PP mentioned that Starmer doesn't engender confidence much due to his not very charismatic oracy, but, given the right circumstances, I do believe he could be confrontational ...though it's a fragile line he has to negotiate. And chilling.

As much as I thought Macron did well, and the conference was interesting what we and he are asking for is a big deal and I don't think from the responses we're there yet

It's a difficult one as there's not much leverage bar charm (Macron anyway)

Well done Macron, handled excellently

I have a feeling Starmer will be similar.

Anyone else fed up of hearing about the special relationship between the UK and the USA?
Does it stem from some romanticised Idea from WW2.
For me America has always said jump and the UK has said how high.
Time for that end as Trump will see that as weakness.

But now his mate Donald is back in office he's hedging his bets again.

www.politics.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/donald-trumps-demand-for-ukraine-minerals-is-reasonable-says-boris-johnson/

Hmm - much as we'd all like Starmer to wipe the floor with DT [and it shouldn't be hard] it's in no-ones interests to humiliate him least of all the Ukraine's.

I'll be interested to see if DT's rhetoric and bullshit is toned down rather than risk being called out in front of the press again. Or whether he'll double down and push Starmer to take a public [if restrained] position.

Either way. It's worth watching a little of Jordan Keppler interview MAGA supporters on Instagram to realise what a polarised and biased view of the world is being served to them by their choice of media. Though our own media is moving closer and closer to just sheer lies and mostly populist outrage too.

I read that article and all Boris said in it and he doesn’t come across badly. It’s pragmatic even if it’s glum.

Cue all the people admitting they were wrong about Starmer's performance yesterday.....

Tumbleweed...

That was beautifully done by Macron! And a lovely, clear explanation about the nature of the money provided to Ukraine.

I was feeling a bit antsy about the US rare earth deal - but Macron is absolutely right.

That is a very interesting article. It clarifies that the deal being done isn't about Ukraine giving it's rare earth metals just for historic and current cashflow: the proposed deal is for a US guarantee of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Also, US support that Russia was the aggressor, which as Macron pointed out would set the tone of the negotiation at the end of the war for Russia's frozen assets to be used to compensate Ukraine.

Johnson is pointing out that those things are very, very valuable to Ukraine. Possibly so valuable that they are genuinely worth half Ukraine's rare earth deposits.

Of course, it all looks like it's off the table now! But it does give a much clearer understanding of what's being negotiated.