French President Emmanuel Macron called President Trump after New York City police officers stopped his vehicle to make space for Trump’s motorcade.
Viral footage shows Macron calling Trump to tell him everything is frozen.
“Guess what, I’m waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” Macron appears to tell Trump over the phone.
Macron was forced to walk down the street with his bodyguards.
Footage below:
New York police stopped Macron’s motorcade to let Trump pass
In New York, police stopped the French president’s motorcade as the road was closed for Trump’s passage. Macron got out of the car, called Trump, and jokingly asked him to “clear the way.” pic.twitter.com/qO170xUpy5
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 23, 2025
Daily Mail shared commentary from the viral video:
Footage of the awkward moment involving Macron, who is in New York for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, has gone viral on social media. Several internet users have commented on the US president’s apparent power play.
‘That’s not just a mix-up — that’s a power signal. When world leaders get parked so Trump can pass, it tells you everything about who commands respect in the room’, one X user wrote.
Another said: ‘Macron learns who runs thing in America, even off duty’.
‘Humiliating. The French president stuck on the curb while Trump’s motorcade rolls like a king’s parade’, a third commented, while a fourth said: ‘This is not an “awkward moment”. This is a protocol breach and a serious insult.’
The mishap involving Macron comes after new polling data revealed yesterday that his popularity in France has plunged to an all-time low.
The embattled president’s approval rating has fallen to 17%, the lowest it has been since taking office in 2017.
At the U.N. General Assembly, Macron announced France’s formal recognition of Palestinian statehood.
French President Emmanuel Macron received a standing ovation at the UN General Assembly after announcing his country’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. pic.twitter.com/viu1vW1jhH
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) September 22, 2025
BBC noted:
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up. View the original article here.France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, becoming the latest in a wave of countries to take the step.
Speaking at the UN in New York, President Emmanuel Macron said “the time for peace has come” and that “nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza”.
US President Donald Trump is due to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, as will the leaders of key regional players such as Jordan and Qatar.
On Monday, the US did not attend a one-day summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia which focused on plans for a two-state solution to the conflict. Fellow G7 states Germany and Italy were also absent.
Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino are also due to recognise a Palestinian state, after the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced recognition on Sunday.
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