Emmanuel Macron has been praised for fact-checking Donald Trump in real time during a press conference. Trump had claimed that Ukraine was taking advantage of U.S. support, stating that it was time for the U.S. to be reimbursed. Macron swiftly interrupted, placing his hand on Trump’s wrist, and corrected him, saying that France had contributed 60% of the total effort to Ukraine, including loans, guarantees, and grants. He emphasized that the European Union had provided real financial support, not just loans. Despite being corrected, Trump stubbornly reiterated his initial claim.
The exchange quickly went viral, with social media users applauding Macron’s directness. Many praised him for standing up to Trump and exposing his false claims, while others expressed embarrassment over Trump’s refusal to accept the correction. Macron’s quick response was hailed as a masterclass in leadership and a much-needed reminder of the importance of factual accuracy on the global stage.