Macron’s office has issued a fiery response
Emmanuel Macron’s team aren’t backing down to unsubstantiated rumors about the President, and have hit back.
The French leader met with European leaders over the weekend, but one brief moment ended up causing a massive stir on social media.
Macron met with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kyiv in hopes of brokering a peace between Ukraine and Russia.
However, one action from Macron ahead of pictures from the media seemed to fire up the rumor mill.
The French president was spotted removing a crumpled white object from a table he was sharing with the leaders.
From this brief action, people all over Twitter have taken to accusing him of taking drugs with the leaders, specifically cocaine.
So, what was the little white object, you might ask?
Emmanuel Macron met with other European leaders over the weekend (Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Well, unremarkably it was only a crumpled up piece of tissue, and not exactly the wild illegal scandal some may have been hoping for.
On Sunday (May 11), the Elysée Palace took to social media to not only dispel the rumors but mock those who had been repeatedly pushing them.
The post read: “When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.
“This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation.”
‘France’s enemies’ doesn’t point fingers at anyone directly, but Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was amongst those who shared the conspiracy theory online.
The post also showed a close up image of the tissue before Macron picked it up.
Despite this, many rumors still circulated with some social media users moving the goalpost or still suggesting that drugs were somehow involved in the meeting.
One user commented: “If it was a tissue, why did Macron attempt to hide it discreetly?
“And why did they all stop smiling and laughing, and began looking awkward and uncomfortable shortly after it was hidden?”
Another said: “It wasn’t the tissue that was the issue. It was the way Macron picked it up and hid it that raised suspicions. Nobody would do what he did if it was just a piece of tissue.”
Macron’s team denied and ridiculed those peddling the rumors (Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
With a third adding: “Why is Mr. Macron not taking a drug test and prove the disinformation theorists wrong?”
While many would have let the rumors simply die down, the French presidency has reportedly taken a tougher stance on disinformation.
An Elysée official who was granted anonymity said: “It’s by denying them when they emerge that we weaken them.”
Home with entire replica Oval Office inside is for sale but it has everyone divided
Prepare to ‘never judge a house by the exterior ever again’…
Social media users are gobsmacked over the interior design of one house in Oklahoma.
When choosing your dream home, you may write down necessities such as a solid amount of bedrooms for your family and perhaps an extra if a guest fancies coming to stay.
Maybe you need an outdoor space if you have a dog and perhaps if you fancy pushing the boat out you may treat yourself to a pool.
However, one thing definitely not on most people’s lists is for your home to have a room inspired by the White House’s Oval Office.
Despite this, a home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was uploaded on the market on April 24 and once you’ve seen the images, you’ll understand why it’s causing quite such a stir.
Listed on Zillow, the 1,446-square-foot property at 2601 W Hartford Street is a ‘meticulously maintained’ home in Country Aire Estates, Union Schools’ priced at $234,900.
Described as being ‘full of character and thoughtful updates,’ the listing states: “This well-cared-for home blends style and functionality with warm cork flooring and unique design touches and throughout.
“Taken to the studs in 2005, this home features updated insulation and drywall, offering a solid foundation for modern living.
“The stylish Living Room, anchored by a rounded corner fireplace, flows seamlessly into a cozy Dining Area and galley Kitchen with bar-top seating and adjacent Utility Area.”
It continues: “The private Primary Suite includes a recently updated Bathroom with new counters and a tiled shower. Two additional spacious Bedrooms plus a full Bathroom nearby complete the interior. Outside, unwind on the large covered Patio and enjoy a quiet, private backyard.”
However, what it fails to mention until you click on the gallery of images accompanying the listing is the detailed replica of the Oval Office – antique globe, framed portrait of Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) and all.
And it’s not taken long for people to weigh in.
A Twitter account called Zillow Gone Wild took to its page to share images of the house.
The caption reads: “Me: can we go to the diner. Mom: we’ve got diner at home. Me: can I at least go to the White House. Mom: you are never going to believe this.”
One user said: “Ok, now this one I absolutely love! Talk about unique ideas for the interior. And folks driving by would never even know.”
However, others were left far from convinced.
“Just when you think you’ve seen it all,” another added.
And a final simply resolved: “I’ll never judge a house by the exterior ever again.”
French President interrupts Donald Trump to correct him in extremely awkward press conference moment
Trump hasn’t been shy about criticizing Europe’s handling of the war in Ukraine
Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron couldn’t exactly agree as the French president ended up correcting the POTUS in an awkward moment.
Donald Trump has had a lot to say about Ukraine regarding the country’s ongoing war with Russia in recent weeks.
Most controversially, earlier this week, Donald Trump called Ukrainian president, Volodymir Zelensky, a dictator. Zelensky responded by arguing that Trump was ‘living in a disinformation space’ governed by Moscow.
Despite the international tensions, leaders believe they are moving towards peace talks.
Most recently, Emmanuel Macron visited Washington for talks with the White House, and during a discussion with the press, the conversation moved to Ukraine.
In a CSpan video, Macron is seen being asked if the US should be compensated for the money it has given Ukraine, to which he replied that Ukraine must first be fully compensated for the war.
Trump argued that Europe is ‘loaning the money to Ukraine’ and would be ‘getting their money back’, something he doesn’t believe America will.
However, in a rather awkward moment, Macron corrected the President saying: “No, in fact. To be frank, we paid. We paid 60 per cent of the total effort.”
He said European nations provided ‘real money’ just like the US had, through a combination of ‘loans, guarantees and grants’.
Trump then fired back at a journalist “If you believe that, it’s okay with me.
“But they get their money back, we don’t, and now we do.”
Macron couldn’t help but interject: “In fact we both do.”
On social media, Trump took criticism for being corrected with many praising how Macron handled the situation.
On Twitter user said: “A memorable moment in contrasting leadership communication. It’s refreshing to see candid comments rather than meaningless platitudes or cautious timidity.”
Another said: “trump, embarrassed, ‘and if you believe that, it’s okay with me’.
“He just couldn’t say, I stand corrected, could he? What a sorry excuse for a president.”
With a third adding: “It’s okay to be wrong and be corrected. Accept it! We all have tons of moments like that. But. 40% from the U.S. is still too much.”
During his visit Macron also said that a truce between the two nations, Ukraine and Russia, could be agreed in the coming weeks but said that the peace deals ‘must not be a surrender of Ukraine’.
Trump has echoed a similar sentiment but has been more concerned about the cost the war is having on Americans rather than potential concession of giving up land.
French Minister issues sharp response after Trump threatens 200% tariffs on champagne
The ‘trade war’ feuds show no sign of cooling down
A French Minister was quick to fire back at Donald Trump after he threatened the European Union to avoid serious tariff changes.
It seems Trump isn’t really worried about upsetting his friends across the pond as he recently hit out at longtime allies in the EU.
Since he returned to the White House earlier this year, Trump hasn’t been shy about playing hardball with the US’ allies as he has repeatedly threatened tariff increases to Canada and Mexico as well as the EU.
In a post today (March 13) on Truth Social, Trump threatened to put 200 percent tariffs on champagne as a retaliatory act against the bloc.
He wrote: “The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky.
“If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES.
“This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”
A few hours later French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin took to Twitter to respond to Trump.
Trump calls Canada’s Doug Ford a ‘strong man’
In a translate post, he wrote: “D. Trump is escalating the trade war he chose to unleash.
“France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners.
“We will not give in to threats and will always protect our sectors.”
Trump’s 200 percent tariffs threat comes as the EU commission increased taxes in response to the US after they inflicted 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
The EU said its 50 percent levy applies to €26 billion (around $28 billion) of US goods, this includes alcohol like bourbon whiskey.
Saint-Martin’s comments echo what the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in regard to Trump’s idea of a relationship between the US and the EU.
In a statement, she said: “The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Speaking on the US’ 25 percent tariffs on metal, von der Leyen added: “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers.
“These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States. The European Union must act to protect consumers and business.”
Donald Trump pauses all US military aid to Ukraine after accusing President Zelenskyy of ‘gambling with World War 3’
Following the fiery Oval Meeting on Friday (February 28), the Trump administration are understood to be considering their next move
Just three days after President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, the US has announced it has paused all aid to war-torn Ukraine.
Having invited the Ukrainian leader to the White House on Friday (February 28), to discuss possible solutions to an end to the Eastern European war that has been raging since Russia invaded his country, the meeting soon turned hostile.
Shortly after the trio sat down in front of the cameras, Vance insisted that Zelenskyy was treating both Trump and the US with disrespect and persistently called on the Ukrainian to ‘thank’ Trump.
The fiery sit-down saw the 78-year-old Republican accuse his European counterpart of ‘gambling with World War 3’, while Zelenskyy questioned whether either Vance or Trump had seen what President Vladimir Putin had done to his homeland.
He asked: “Have you ever been to Ukraine? Seen what problems we have? Come once.”
On the back of the belligerent meeting, two US officials have stated that the Trump administration is pausing all military aid to Ukraine.
An aerial view of Bohodychne, in the Donbas region of Ukraine – the town that was bombed both during its occupation by Russian forces and its liberation by Ukrainian forces following the large-scale Russian offensive of 2022 (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
“The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official said per NBC News yesterday (March 3).
“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
In January, the State Department announced that the US had provided the equivalent of $65.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country three years ago – on February 24, 2022.
During the heated meeting on Friday (February 28), the Ukrainian president reflects on how ‘during the war, everyone has problems’, and just because they don’t ‘feel it now’, doesn’t mean they won’t in ‘the future’.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was accused of gambling with World War Three by President Donald Trump (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump then butted in, arguing he’s ‘trying to solve a problem’ and said Zelenskyy is in ‘no position’ to tell them ‘what [they’re] going to feel’.
Raising his voice, he continued: “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good. We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now, not in a very good position, you’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.”
Trump warned: “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards … You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three! You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country – this country.”
