A shocking scene unfolded when the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, was spotted walking the streets of New York City after Trump’s motorcade brought traffic to a standstill. According to the video posted on Reddit, a police officer was seen smiling as he explained the situation to the French leader. “I’m sorry, President, I’m really sorry, it’s just that everything is really frozen right now,” the officer apologized.
“There’s a motorcade coming right now,” he explained as he gestured to Macron to listen for it since it was not in sight yet. Moments later, France’s commander-in-chief was spotted behind a barricade with his officials and a couple of people taking videos of the scene as he put a call through that seemed to be to Trump. “Guess what, I’m waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” Macron jested, laughing.
The French president walked across blocks of shopping outlets, accompanied by his officials, as passersby stopped to take clips of the moment. Macron even stopped for a couple of pictures with people on the way. Social media users had a bunch of varying reactions to this sight.
One user wrote with a mixture of humor and frustration, “Reverse the case, and Trump will throw a tantrum about walking or even getting out of a car. Macron did it with a smile like a boss.” Another Trump critic commented, “Hopefully, Trump gets treated the same way in the EU. F**k that pedo Trump.” A Redditor was more concerned with optics. “Shameful way to treat guests and allies,” they noted.
Another chipped in on the recent activities of ICE officials as they jested, “Macron is lucky that those are NYPD and not ICE… He could have easily found himself in a cage in Alligator Alcatraz.” One social media user was more interested in the officer’s demeanour while speaking with the French leader. “The cop laughing through that whole exchange was pretty priceless,” they wrote. “Sorry, elected leader of our nation’s oldest ally, I can’t let you walk down this public street,” they continued, biting with sarcasm.
Commenting on the call Macron made, a user mocked, “He sounded like he was gassing up a seven-year-old child… ‘Hey! Guess what! I’m waiting because everything is stopped for YOU. You’re such a big, important man. Of course, everyone is waiting for you, you big boy.” Contrary to most, however, a user wrote, “I do enjoy other world leaders just… walk around. Interact with humans like a human. It is so refreshing and a reminder of what could be.”
It is not every day one sees a world leader strolling casually on the street, all thanks to Trump.