French President Emmanuel Macron found himself inadvertently in a pedestrian predicament on the streets of New York City this Monday, as his movement was halted by the NYPD in anticipation of President Donald Trump's motorcade. Macron, in a moment that combines modern-day immediacy with the highest levels of international diplomacy, pulled out his phone and called Trump directly to inform him of the situation. As captured by French media, Macron quipped into the phone, "How are you? Guess what? I'm waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you," according to a report by ABC7NY.
Earlier, after delivering a significant speech at the U.N. General Assembly where he announced France's formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, Macron had to ditch his motorcade and attempt a journey on foot to the French consulate. Reportedly walking for roughly thirty minutes, accompanied by his security detail, Macron didn't miss the chance to engage with ordinary New Yorkers, taking time to pose for photos and, in one heartwarming interaction, receiving a kiss on the forehead from a passerby. "The time has come to end the war in Gaza, the massacres and the death," Macron had declared during his speech, a sentiment resounding in his continued dialogue on the phone, suggesting a meeting with Trump and Qatar regarding Gaza, as noted by a report from The Guardian.
The stoppage did not last long, as the NYPD reopened the street minutes later. The brief delay underscored the challenges of coordinating between international delegations and city logistics. During the pause, President Macron spoke with former President Trump about issues in the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza.
A French official later confirmed the authenticity of Macron’s call to Trump to The Associated Press.
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