Emmanuel Macron was humiliated by Donald Trump during his visit to New York to attend a UN conference. On Monday evening, the French president had just left the UN headquarters when traffic cops unceremoniously halted his car in the Big Apple.
Video images show a bemused Macron stranded on a street, as police officers tell him he is going nowhere. “I’m really sorry, Mr President. Everything is frozen. There’s a motorcade coming right now,” a traffic cop can be heard telling Macron. The president then looks out over the empty street and replies: “I don’t see it. Let me cross.”
Traffic had been brought to a standstill in downtown New York so as to allow Donald Trump’s motorcade to pass through the city.
The French leader decided to try and resolve the situation diplomatically, taking his phone and apparently calling the US President.
“How are you? Guess what, I’m waiting in the street right now because everything is frozen for you.”
However, things went from bad to worse, as the French president was finally forced to make his way on foot with his bodyguards to his Embassy.
A reporter from Brut said Macron walked for about 30 minutes with his security detail. He stopped and posed with passersby who asked for photographs, including one encounter with a man who kissed him on the forehead.
The video has gone viral on social media, with many users offering their take on the dramatic events.
One said: “How dare they stop the new Napoleon.”
While another wrote: “Humiliating. The French President stuck on the curb while Trump’s motorcade rolls like a king’s parade. Allies or vassals — which does America really want?”
A third fumed: “This is not an ‘awkward moment’. This is a protocol breach and a serious insult. If you feel differently, sorry, but you should probably look into diplomatic protocol.”