So, Tony Blair was called Bush's poodle, does this make Macron le poodle?
2
America and France have much in common, such as Vietnam.
2
I admire President Macron's ability to be in our president's presence, to remain calm and smiling...and to retain his own beliefs.
Could he be the person to break through? If Trump considers him a loyal ally, then maybe Macron can engage his mind and promote positive change.
We can hope. Trump is clearly almost immune to insult, but like most of us, he's affected by flattery.
3
Macron’s performance was especially striking given Mr. Trump’s perverse character and aversion to human touch. The big man looming over the smaller was counterpointed by the wily, touchy-feely Macron who was determined to out trump Trump physically and, as it turned out, in the forum. Brinksmanship exceptionelle!
2
Why might a young, articulate, progressive leader like Macron want to make a public exhibition of a quease-inducing physical contact type of relationship with an older, ill-informed, repulsive, bottom trawler like Trump? Is he trying to build up some sort of credit with Trump? Hmm. It does strike a jarring note. Wish someone would inform Macron that he doesn't really have to go the "full Monty" with Trump. After all, how much harm can Trump do to a major European country just because its foreign leader didn't want to hold hands or exchange kisses on the cheek. Think of Merkel whose country is doing just fine despite Trump's repulsive unprofessional behavior towards her. He wouldn't even shake hands with her for Pete's sake! Besides danger lurks here for Macron. Since Trump has a hole where his heart is, any affection that he has is purely self-directed and in no way takes its bearings from anyone/anything external to him. Sooner or later Trump's ego will find a way to arbitrarily take umbrage at Macron publicly but by then it will be too late for Macron to cut back on the hand-holding and cheek kissing without enduring consequences.
3
Donald loves romance, as Chris Christie and Mitt Romney can attest. But in the end, he loves swine like Bannon, Stephen Miller, Scott Pruitt, Michael Flynn and many others who were/are actually running the show.
2
Little Napoleon meets our wannabe American Caesar, the so called bromance is a total farce , Macron is taking advantage of Trump's desire and admiration of Macron's slick and sophisticated mien . I give him til 4am and he'll be sitting on the edge of his bed railing against Macron . The rousing applause from Congress for Macron probably did not sit well . Let's not forget the military parade our 5 times draft dodger president so admired (and undeserved ) that he wants .
1
Not Macron too!!
1
I think Air France's previous commercials entitled "Love Is In The Air" is certainly appropriate for these two.
1
Trump seems to need to dominate physically his equals. Remember the handshakes with Abe, Trudeau and the like. It is kind of a mafia don thing. Trump likes knowing that Macron can't protest because the US president is too important. It makes him feel personally powerful.
To Trump the presidency is just a chance to show off. Policy bedamned. Every public statement, every move he makes is decided on the basis of how he will look. You can't get any more superficial or meaningless than that.
1
Well played, Macron, well played sir! Your speech to Congress was spot on!
Think back to their first couple of meetings -- Macron treated Trump the way he should be treated (like a dog) and spoke appropriately of him to the media (in other words scathingly). I have to say I realized immediately that this visit was a total set up for Macron to put Trump in his place on his own soil and in his own Congress!!
Ha! Trump needs to remember that every head of every state on the planet holds him in the disdainful disregard that Macron does.
Well played Macron!
6
“Stephen Miller, the senior adviser for policy who has been with Mr. Trump since the beginning of his administration, attended without a date”
I know this is childish of me, but I laughed and laughed at that little dig.
1
The stain, and the stench will NOT wash off. Even back in France.
"Whatever the case, there was no mistaking the bromance between the two leaders as they praised each other effusively.." President Macron knows how to manipulate Trump. One must let him know that he is the greatest person since Jesus.
Rupert Murdock of tabloid fame attended. Shows the intelligence level at which Trump operates.
I hope President Macron is smart enough to understand there is a bus out there with his name on it. No matter how Trump behaves today can seem irrational tomorrow. I am suspicious because this much affection even for Trump is over the top.
Eesh, Macron’s sliminess is somewhat nauseating. A bromance with Le Donald is not going to do him much good back in France, no matter how much acting is involved.
President Macron made a good speech. He underlined his thoughts and ideas with physical gestures underlining the essence of the words he spoke. On the small surface of the pupitre, he was using every square centimer, moving his hands, arms and torso to shake up the audience, trying to avoid sleepy, tired intervals.
He, president Macron, is indeed a gifted orator and a-great statesman.
9
The bromance just ended with Macron's address to Congress. I can just see DJT as he watched a young, handsome and articulate speaker be received by our Congress with more enthusiasm than he has received and Macron publicly pointing out their differences. That is the end of all the kissing and holding hands because you have to agree with the Donald and if you don't here is your hat. I am sure the seething has started already. When Ms. Merkel arrives it will be back to a reality that this President doesn't want to face.
25
You may be right, but I doubt it. Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron know where the other stands. They work together in spite of that. Would that some others in government did the same. (Democrats, I'm thinking of you here.)
1
Well bless their sweet little lovey dovey hearts.... as we like to say down here, lol. And.... can this get any weirder? Probably not.
4
I wonder if Trump would give Macron a discount at Mar a Lago? Trump’s dandruff flick is especially noxious particularily coming from the being with the crazy comb over.
5
This obscene charade celebrating this farce of a president was paid for by you, the American taxpayer.
Macron knows exactly what he's doing. All you have to do if flatter Trump and he's putty in your hands.
But what a grotesque ceremony of wealth, privilege and unqualified people.
Salut!
9
Oh, please. Donald Trump chooses, schmoozes, and then bruises.
5
Gag me with a spoon.
5
What M. Macron is doing is called, "sucking up for your continent's interests." Inside you know he is dying, but he's doing it for France and Europe. When this is all over, he deserves a statue in the Place de la Concorde.
11
Macron is playing Trump brilliantly. He knows that Trump, the ultimate narcissist, believes that all the fawning and admiration is real, that Macron truly thinks that he, Trump, is a man worthy of his (Macron's) attention and respect. Beautifully played President Macron, beautifully played.
31
Trump must think he won that handshake thing last winter...
hope trump doesn't read your comment. Don't give away the secret!
Perhaps les bromanceurs will continue to "revel" in one another's glow. Perhaps not. Macron's lovely speech before Congress celebrated all of the tenets of globalism one could possibly imagine. He did so beautifully, kindly and respectfully. Nevertheless, should the non-savant in our White House understand even a little bit, Macron argued for protection of the U.N., NATO, the Paris Accords on Climate, the Iran Nuclear deal with new amendments, harsh sanctions on North Korea, de-nuclearlization of the world by the country who started it all (the U.S.), an end to "walls," faith in the values that have made our respective countries great, liberalism, the rule of law, and freedom of the press, grounded in "reason" rather than "fake news." Seriously, it doesn't get much clearer than that. Though the bromance bloomed the hand-holding, kissing and tidying up of the last 24 hours, Mr. Macron proved himself to be the consummate politician by appealing to moderates in his own country, in America and surely across the globe. There is no doubt that the new world leader has arrived, and it surely is not the clueless Donald J. Trump.
11
Poor Macron, He is forced to be obsequious by moral integrity. He knows how to play Trump like a fiddle. He is emasculating himself on stage for the good of mankind I do believe. It does look painfully awkward and weird though.
2
"Adroit" and "finesse" are French words, after all. Macron showed complete mastery of both.
17
Monsieur le president is playing a very clever game. Flattery will get you everywhere with Trump and Macron understands this perfectly. His speech today to Congress is well worth the listen.
12
I think history will show that anyone who cozies-up to Donald gets permanently stained...
So I don't think it speaks well for Macron. Trying to talk sense to President Dennison about Iran's nuclear bomb manufacturing wish is admirable, but I've found that people who respond well to Melania's husband are damaged and untrustworthy themselves.
This is just another example of Trump trying to be on all sides of an issue, so that later on he can later claim to have been "right" about that issue. All because he wants to always win.
The con man is being conned. Whatever you think of Macron's politics, he is certainly Trump's intellectual superior and is playing him to get what he wants. He seemed to be enjoying watching the fool Trump trying to act the statesman.
5
Trump could walk on water and the Press would criticize him for it.
3
The only person who has walked on water was Jesus Christ. Are you comparing Trump to Him?
3
Mutual benefits: Macron, to the French is the new leader of Europe, supplanting Merkel unable to fake admiration, for Trump it is good TV
1
Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are both, as Macron likes to say, "mavericks". They do what they want to do. What they think is right. And they don't let other people's staid disapproval stop them.
Some people can't stand that. James Comey, for example, has put the country through a Robert Mueller-led inquisition because he thinks Donald Trump is morally unfit. Not that he committed a crime, or did anything legally improper. But that he did not meet James Comey's Rienhold Niebuhr-influenced standards.
Practical people look past that. They want to get things done, and realize that the way to do that is to work with what you have, not an ideal.
The difference is like that between litigators and business lawyers. Litigators battle over points of principle to win the favor of the judge. The last thing they care about is the other side -- the enemy.
Business lawyers realize that if the other side needs to agree to the deal for it to be done. So they work with the other side and try to make the deal overcome both sides' BATNAs (best alternative to a negotiated agreement).
What's the difference? People like Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron get things done. People who are like litigators resist and wait for the next election.
Thank god for these two, and people like them.
1
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
5
Macron is giving Trump what he disparately craves the most; affirmation. It is evident that the French saw this little man for what he is ; an insecure narcissist seeking affection in spite of his unlovable character. The touch on the forearm, the pat on the back, a grip of the shoulder; all gestures demonstrating genuine concern and liking and, all staged perfectly by Macron. Trump was giddy in his reaction. The Iran deal is safe for the time being.
5
Not quite sure what Macron is up to but the kiss-kiss photos and the toothy smiles are a little nauseating. I guess Mr. Trump must be in his element amidst all the pageantry and trappings of power and wealth. And the wily Frenchman is probably counting on the fact that, with this President, flattery will get you everywhere. I hope he's right for the sake of the rest of us, peasants, who live in dread every day, fearing what new crisis is going to befall us depending on the early morning whims of our Great Leader.
12
Seems sincere to me. The two like each other, but disagree on a lot. What's wrong with that?
2
Macron has a lot of qualities that Trump would love to possess. He is 30 years his junior and could well be his son. But what Trump must notice is Macron’s intelligence.
As a kid, Macron was preternaturally smart, bookish and self-assured. He seemed prefer spending time with adults instead of children his own age. It explains why he knows how to talk to Trump and deal with him in a way that world leaders like Angela Merkel, Putin and Xi Jinping can’t. It’s a combination of Macron’s charisma, reasoning power, and calm that must have made Trump feel comfortable with him.
The world is watching closely where this "bromance" between the two will lead to.
11
So Macron is a "collaborateur" then,
2
Hold your guns - read how Macron addressed the US Congress...
4
Holy cow. This is our president? It’s too much. And Melania will never leave Donald Trump. Does anyone think she married him for L-O-V-E? Hello? These people are sickening, and these are the people my fellow Americans voted for.
37
You can't make up this stuff. When in France, to greet you 'kiss' on each cheek;
BUT, its not a REAL kiss. You just make the sound, you just touch cheek to cheek. Whereas, Trump actually puckered up and delivered a real kiss.
Its divine humor.
44
How gauche! Can you believe it? The president of the United States doesn't follow French customs. He should be impeached.
I've never seen anything as silly since I saw the ridiculous photograph of Barack Obama shaking hands with the Emperor of Japan and bowing at the same time! Everybody knows that you either shake hands or bow. Not both. What a fool.
1
Oh good lord, no one revels in the presence of massively personality-disordered, sociopath with narcissistic features Trump except sycophants, fools, and knaves.
Macron is playing out a political version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. and though we can't see it, I have no doubt he has a safety net.
Part of what he's doing is testing how the media conglomerates and other propagandists will spin this faux affection, and as usual, the NYT is failing miserably to reflect reality in a nuanced, accurate way.
When will you quit pretending Trump has the capacity to behave ethically, morally, or even, normally? He doesn't. He never has. He never will.
#WeSeeYou #Shameful.
29
Did Macron get preparation with the advice of psychologists and PR experts on how to handle the US narcissist in chief? Maybe they prepped for how to handle him. If he says this, you say that, what to avoid, what words to use, etc.
High stakes.
1
Beware of the kiss of Macron, it's the kiss of Judah. Just ask President François Holland, his mentor, whom he betrayed to become president.
By the way, it's good to see Donald improving his practice of the art of the French cheek-to-cheek kiss. At first, he kissed Brigitte on the forehead like she was a child (or he the Pope, whatever), finally, he grasped that you just pucker your lips, but you don't actually touch lips to face, just cheek to cheek. Melania got it perfectly from the beginning, all those years around models and designers. She must have told him (the few times they speak to each other, lol).
7
Mnuchin's wife, Brit C-lister Louise Linton, apparently thought she was going to the Academy awards, not a State Dinner; very inappropriate attire.
14
I'm sure Macron felt like taking a shower after having to submit to Trump's pawing and groping.
33
Trump is a ridiculous man who manages to make everybody he touches look equally ridiculous. He revels in it. As Americans search for any hint of logic or strategy or inventive diplomacy beneath Trump's quick-tan surface, they make themselves look ridiculous.
Any world leader would do him or herself a favour by staying well away - à la Angela Merkel.
And Americans would do themselves a favour by driving him out of office at the next election.
As Gertrude Stein said, "There's no there there."
23
One rarely sees such baseline vivid alpha male dominance displays outside the animal kingdom. The older alpha male going through the motions (without credibility) as the younger alpha male bests him at every display... Of course, Trump doesn't like "politicians"; he is so utterly terrible at it & so good at showboating performance.
Can anyone possibly imagine anything worse than this testosterone-laden "handshake" from this 71 yr old hand grabbing, arm muscle wrestling from this guy? What else is his physician giving him, I wonder?
11
So much for the savvy French man. Brigitt, please warn your husband that he is being duped.
3
Trump's failed micro-aggressions just make him look like a chump. Macron was ready for each one of them.
14
Trump finally found someone to be with who doesn't badmouth him like everyone else does. I wonder if the Frenchies enjoyed their hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and Coca Cola at the state dinner last night. God Bless Amurrika!
1
We know about Trump; his narcissistic presence has been imposed on us. But what of Macron?
Why is Macron so comfortable with this villainous, pompous bully of a president? Perhaps it is that the French are much more likely to shrug off a person's cheating ways. After all 43% of married French people admit to having cheated on their spouses. So a compulsive liar and adulterer like Trump may better fit into their norms. "Oh, well," they say, "he is just a pompous old man that needs to be flattered and surround with mirrors and glitter. We kind of like that ourselves so maybe we work together! Let's invite him to Versailles and show him how it is really done!"
2
Melania was no doubt happy as she was relieved of any hand holding duties.
10
Dandruff Diplomacy
3
Macron does not only play Trump, he obviously likes the guy , even if they are quite apart on many issues. Macron 's " en même temps" motto arises from a general intellectual and psychological concern for inclusiveness, which means empathy ( former Paul Ricoeur's student and collaborator, hermeneutics as fundamental approach of subjectivity). I 'm sure he senses a lot of insecurity behind the POTUS posing as a bully.
Macron's agenda does not imply conscious and /or cynical manipulation. All the more efficient...at least on the long run.
Birds of a feather flock together. Two megalomaniacs at play here. One thinks he's Napoleon, the other thinks he is the savior of the US. Pitiful.
2
Id be more nauseated if I didn’t sense that Macron is somehow playing Trumpkin
10
We KNOW who Trump is.
Why are we praising Macron for the “Bromance”? Because he’s a guest and so we should not criticize him? Or, because we sympathize with what he’s going through to make this “relationship” work?
But, what if the Bromance doesn’t require any effort on Macron’s part?
What then does that say about who Macron is???
2
Right now, as we listen, Macron is delivering the most impassioned arguments for globalism, the United Nations and NATO, all grounded in tolerance and the democratic ideals carried forward from both the French Revolution and the American Revolution. One has to wonder if his new best friend in Trumpian politics understand a word of this ...
Marylouise Markle
State College, PA
11
Yeah. You might want to rethink this "bromance" after hearing/reading Macron's speech to Congress.
There is very little in this sober address that supports the tower of lies, fear and anger that Trump has built over the past several years.
15
And Macron really seemed to enjoy dressing Donald down.
For all the Branch Donaldians who have been lied to that Europe actually respects Trump, look at the veil that was lifted by the President of France today.
And you have permission to see your Dear Leader's nakedness because Trump twittered you to listen to Macron this very morning.
Winning!
Stay tuned for another veil to soon be lifted by Chancellor Merkel.
Starting to get the picture yet?
Trump is the Great American Fraud.
5
Since Trump's circle of friends are mainly rich low-lifes, I wonder how many did not make the guest list for security reasons?
3
Love is truly in the air...here in England the News Rooms are playing romantic music when they are playing romantic love songs when they come on the news...
Still it is funny...
3
Macron is too transparent in his literal and figurative embrace of Trump, and too naive in believing that somehow he can make a difference. It also says something about Macron's hubris. Poor Macron: he is about to be humiliated for the whole world to see.
Abe got burned, and just like Macron got his State dinner, Abe got his rounds of golf. May and Merkel don't even pretend to like Trump, and better serve their countries and the world for it.
1
Macron is his French Jarod.
1
Or French Ivanka!
Someone has done an analysis of what Trump craves for, and loving touch is one of them. Clearly he doesn't know how to behave in order to get it from women (or his mother), so he yanks people around in a faux "manly" way. Macron is handling him gently like an injured animal. Let's hope he gets somewhere.
2
Macron is wise. He knows DJT can be manipulated and he is doing his best and it is working.
Several thoughts on DJT, he is looking unusually orange in this picture and why does he always where his coat? You never see DJT in a suit jacket like Macron. In my opinion, between DJT's coat and Melania's hat/headdress they are doing their best to dress King and Queenly which is what Trump thinks he is. Someone in the comments posted that Ivanka was addressed as the "honorable" Ivanka which goes along with how Trump views his family.
It will be an interesting contrast, Macron's visit where DJT is in love with him since Macron is a good looking white man and then Merkel's visit. Merkel is Trump's biggest nightmare. It sounds like Merkel is just going to be here for a day, no red carpet like the one rolled out for Macron.
I just hope the "Macron effect" lasts with Trump and this isn't the Trump usual say something in the moment and do a 180 the next day.
Good boy...good boy.
I really really hope French people are deeply ashamed now
1
In this bizarre best buddies display it was hard to discern who was playing whom.I think Macron genuinely wanted to impress on Trump that he needed to stay in Syria,keep the Iran Treaty and treat Europe fairly with tariffs.To do this he had to play the charmed guest and do the embracing and kissing.Mr.Trump, on the other hand is taken with the glamour and gilt of France.Versailles is his dream home.He wants the friendship of this young leader.We will soon see if Mr.Trump values not only his friendship but also his advice.
4
Playing Trump like a fiddle. Winning!
3
The Trump Show...Season 2...Episode 5. Strutting--Posing--Preening.. (Content suitable for Oligarchs only) .. Sneak peek episode 6. Merkle and The Peacocks.
Trump so much wants to be on a stage.
1
Macron is a good actor
7
Why does Trump always look so awkward in photos? He seems uncomfortable in his own skin.
2
As if Melania didn't already have enough to be apoplectic about, now she has to worry about The Donald's oddball snuggle-fest with Macron. The French president has dropped a few notches on the proverbial Ladder of Respect.
I think Robin Wright has it right in her New Yorker piece entitled "Did Macron Just Charm Trump On Iran?". With this, um, president*, you take whatever you can get however you can get it to keep the world safe. And any fool now knows that the best way to work him is to turn on the charm and flattery. And, frightening as it is to say, that's the best we can hope for until he's gone. That is, assuming we make it that far.
2
Nauseating. Only makes me think less of Macron, and wonder how his intelligent wife can stand it. I see a Macron divorce resulting from this.
5
What binds the two together ? Economics
Below is the analysis of Thomas Picketty, author of Capital in the 20th Century:
"Trump, Macron: same fight
It is customary to contrast Trump and Macron: on one hand the vulgar American businessman with his xenophobic tweets and global warming scepticism; and on the other, the well-educated, enlightened European with his concern for dialogue between different cultures and sustainable development. All this is not entirely false and rather pleasing to French ears. But if we take a closer look at the policies being implemented, one is struck by the similarities.
In particular, Trump, like Macron, has just had very similar tax reforms adopted. In both cases, these constitute an incredible flight in the direction of fiscal dumping in favour of the richest and most mobile."
" The rate of corporation tax will gradually be reduced from 33% to 25%; a lower rate of 30% will be introduced for dividends and interest (as an alternative to the 55% income tax rate applicable to the highest salaries); the wealth tax will be abolished for the largest financial and business wealth holders holders (while the real estate tax has never been as high for the less wealthy)."
http://piketty.blog.lemonde.fr/2017/12/12/trump-macron-same-fight/
6
Enlightened European? Doubtful. In order to forge a bond with such a monster as Trump, one would have to have shared values, in this case, hate and greed. It’s a pity as many had such high hopes that Macron would prove to be a man of decency and integrity.
1
L'art De La Con
We'll see who the more skilled conman is.
59
Not all men are bad and always have to behave as such, just when all the alphas are packed into the same room together.
I believe that Macron, play a "charmes et flatteries" game with Trump because, like most of us noticed (and the sycophants too), it works remarkably well with Trump. Macron knows exactly what he is doing and indeed, he is already succeeding in softening Trump stance on Iran. Obviously, Trump is quite at ease with the French President and Macron brilliantly "capitalize" on that for the benefit of us all.
69
Macron just wants to beat Trump at his own game. I love it!
18
Because he can't
Oh he can and is.
2
Glad these two had a chance to party hardy and lay on the diplomatic oh so french kissy-kissy. Obnoxious pictures and luke warm discussions were the result.
The problem remains our uninformed and whimsical Trump. By May 12th a whole new barage of arguments will have been whispered into Trump's ears.
The only thought Trump can hold onto is that the OBAMA Iran deal is BAD. So Macron had an American interlude which will amount to little.
7
Why didn't Macron wear his nice winter coat?
1
I just read this on NPR:
"Ivanka Trump, introduced for the evening as "The Honorable Ivanka Trump"...
Could someone PLEASE explain this to me?
71
Those two have surfaced again? And, she as the Honorable Ivanka Trump?
There are no words ......
9
They were ALL introduced as 'the honorable'... Confuses me, too.
2
Ouch. I didn’t vote for Trump, but I certainly didn’t vote for JAVANKA! It’s horrendous to have to witness this. But the worst part of it is that the American people voted for this man and his awful family
10
Well, that was certainly cringe worthy. But we've come a long way since the Obama years. Remember, it wasn't that long ago, that enraged Republican faces filled our tv screens howling that the President bowed before the Queen. How unAmerican. And then yesterday. I half expected the President to announce they were going to get a room at the Ritz. C'est la vie.
33
If it's a "bromance", why is Trump trying to belittle Macron in front of cameras, flicking off flecks of "dandruff"? this man is an embarrassment to our nation.
52
Bromance? More like cage match, with Mr. Trump at the disadvantage. Both men like to manipulate and turn on the charm, but Mr. Macron will best Trump...Trump just hasn't figured that out yet.
21
Never have I seen such a bizarre performance. Trump has taken "bromance"to a new and skeevy high.Was he THAT taken with Paris'bastille day parade that our president now behaves like a besotted fool around it's ringmaster??One of the personality traits I find confounding about djt are the crushes he gets on new acquaintances,only to dismiss them as they age.This is also endemic to the manic phase of people suffering with bi polar.
23
Really? Trump brushed imaginary dandruff off of Mr. Macron too. And Trump seemed desperate to hold hands with Melania, who seemed like she'd rather be anywhere else.
I think Mr. Macron is trying to put a good face on things and let France feel that they were well represented. Since Mr. Macron is not a dictator, he's definitely not a fan of Trump.
Trump, on the other hand, is scrambling to try to get along well with any one of America's former best allies, so he was doing his doofus best to make a good impression. Don't think it will matter when, in a week or two, Trump launches a twitter attack against France for no apparent reason, as he habitually does with people, places, and things.
15
The dandruff thing was strictly a pecking order thing. Anyone who deals with horses will understand that one. Macron is probably still laughing up his sleeve about donald's assumption of superiority.
5
Give Trump what he loves and let the grow-ups work on the things that are important.
Well played Macron. Well played... He's the new Mary Poppins!!!!
15
The awkwardness between Trump and Macron is evident in every photograph of their meeting. It is almost painful to see how hard they are tying to come across as friends. Their words do not match what the photos tell us.
39
Emmanuel knows what he needs to do to keep Donny happy.
1
The French are far too sophisticated to believe in Trump. Macron - correctly - is playing a diplomatic game that matches his needs and those of his country. If Macron - facing pressure at home - can be seen in Europe as the "Dog Whisperer" who can modify Trump's behavior, it dramatically increases his power in France and in the EU. This 'close friendship' suits both men for now but make no mistake, Macron will be the first to disinfect himself from Trump's irrevocable stain the moment this arrangement interferes with his own goals.
2
Last year Trump was treated well in France and he is only doing the same for Macron. However Macron is a diplomat and Trump is not.
Trump is showing that America can't be trusted to keep it's word when it makes an agreement and Macron is trying to use their friendship to make America keep it's word.
In the end Trump will show the world again just how stupid he really is and ruin our relationships with our European allies.
3
We can only hope He was enlightened by France.
2
Emmanuel Macron is a clever and courageous man. Bromancing and getting cozy with the dangerous and morally repulsive Donald J. Trump must be difficult and distasteful. But the Iran deal and the future of US-European relations -- and maybe the security of the world -- are precariously at stake. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
56
Democrats could learn a lot from Macron about how to deal with Trump.
2
"bromance"? Please! Macron is behaving like a perfectly normal, courteous, mature adult. It may seem wondrous, special, surprising from a US viewpoint, but only because it's become an endangered species with the current tenant of the Oval office, his entourage, followers, fans and the media.
10
That picture tells a 1000 words. Interesting to contrast their physical intimacies - hugging, hand holding, preening - with Melania - who won't even hold Donald's hand in public. I guess when you are Donald, you find love wherever you can!
19
FAKE NEWS!!! Every foreign leader hates Trump! The super smart media told me!!!
2
This was slightly disturbing and pretty funny. I'm not opposed to a little levity, with so much grim news in the world, and after all, this "bromance" might have real policy implications.
Just as bizarre as the towel throwing in PR.
14
Oh, he's so playing trump! But you gotta love those photos of them holding hands and with their arms around each other's backs. Sorry, I'm not buying that Macron has a "bromance" with trump. He's just playing him, after all, that's what motivates trump, flattery!
30
Sickening images!
12
Bromance, perhaps, but nothing on an equal basis. "On his most recent financial declaration, Macron reported that his finances have greatly diminished. Between 2009 and 2014, Macron declared pre-tax revenue totaling 3.3 million euros, according to filings with France’s government transparency authority. His most recent financial filing, made in March 2017, reported that he’s no Donald Trump in terms of net worth. Macron noted that he doesn’t own a car, and that his house is actually owned by his wife. His bank accounts hold approximately $140,000, and he declared a book advance from his publisher worth $300,000. Finally, he maintains stock holdings worth approximately $65,000."
Still, not to shabby.
The photo does remind one of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' however. Trump playing the wealthy Michael Caine character, and Macron playing the fool…Steve Martin.
Perhaps Macron is playing Trump for the fool…or perhaps they are playing all of us for the fools we are. I think the latter.
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The only thing your assessment proves is that Macron is not robbing the till. Is that so bad?
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Many if not most world leaders by now know how to make Trump walk the walk they want.
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God bless Macron for holding his nose and doing his job. How awful to be in physical contact with Trump. Thank you Macron for being the adult in the room.
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Trump's bromance with Macron was probably sealed when Macron offered him a lifetime supply of freedom fries.
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It s so, so nice not to see Ivanka in these photos.
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Macron is playing Trump!
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what great Macron strategy to sway him in the right direction and then hit hard
3
President Trump, Keeping America Safe, Making America Great Again, and building lasting relationships with our most important allies.
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Sarcasm or reality; sigh, I can no longer tell.
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"President" Trump, keeping America backward, making America embarrassing again, and schmoozing like he always does with anybody willing to kiss his ring.
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Ha! You're delusional..... The lasting relationships are for "his own" good in the future. NOT FOR YOURS...
2
Macron may be having his share of problems at home right now but I think its pretty clear that he know how to handle trump. Lay on the charm and flatter. Seems deliciously French to me and thank goodness for that. Bravo, Monsieur President!
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