Emmanuel Macron had a very un-presidential moment in New York when he found himself stranded like a tourist without Google Maps, all thanks to Donald Trump’s motorcade.
In a now-viral clip, the French president was seen leaning over a police barricade, arguing with an officer like a man denied entry to a nightclub. The officer politely explained the obvious: the roads were closed because Trump’s motorcade was rolling through.
“If you don’t see it, let me pass!” Macron snapped, before whipping out his phone and calling the culprit directly. “Donald, it’s Emmanuel,” Macron said, laughing into the receiver. “I’m literally standing in the street because the entire city is frozen for you.” Do you mind moving your 47 SUVs?
Trump, according to what satirical outlets might say, was delighted. Emmanuel, everybody loves my motorcade. It’s the biggest, the fastest, the safest; people say it’s better than Air Force One. You should be happy to wait, believe me.
Following their conversation, the streets were finally reopened, letting Macron continue his impromptu Manhattan parade on foot to the French Embassy. Along the way, he posed for photos, graciously accepted a surprise kiss on the head from a stranger, and likely pondered whether being stuck behind Trump’s motorcade was the peak of presidential humiliation. (Answer: probably still only runner-up to the infamous 2021 slap)
This whole light-hearted exchange came at a rather icy moment in French-American relations. Hours earlier, Macron had recognised a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on Monday, 22 September, defying both Washington and Tel Aviv. Trump had previously dismissed Macron’s move as “cute but meaningless,” adding: “He’s a good guy, but what he says doesn’t matter.”
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to deliver his own address on Tuesday as part of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, which makes Macron’s roadside ordeal all the more striking.
The incident leaves an awkward question hanging: was the traffic chaos simply a coincidence of motorcade timing, or a subtle signal of disrespect that left even a visiting president stuck outside the barricades, forced to wonder if a head of state should really have to beg to be let through?
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