As US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron posed for photographs in the Oval Office Tuesday, Trump took the opportunity to sweep a fleck of dandruff off Macron’s suit in front of the world’s press.
“We do have a very special relationship,” said Trump. “In fact I’ll get that little piece of dandruff off you.”
After sweeping the fleck off Macron’s suit, Trump declared: “We have to make him perfect. He is perfect. It’s great to be with you and you’re a special friend.” Macron smiled through the awkward encounter and appeared unbothered by it.
A White House press pool report said that the president brushed “lint” off the French leader’s suit coat, but Twitter users called it a “diplomatic power move” and an “international embarrassment.”
Macron is in Washington this week for the first official state visit of Trump’s presidency. The visit will give the two leaders a chance to strengthen their own and their countries’ bonds, as well as discuss issues such as the Iran deal and global trade.