An awkward moment unfolded for French President Emmanuel Macron as his route back from the United Nations headquarters was blocked by roadblocks set up for U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade. The incident, reported by Le Figaro, forced Macron to exit his vehicle and call Trump to request clearance, only to proceed on foot after an apparent refusal. The encounter, reminiscent of a similar 2025 incident, has sparked amusement and diplomatic speculation.

Macron was en route from the UN General Assembly, where he had advocated for recognizing a Palestinian state, when the blockage occurred near Manhattan’s East Side. Video footage captured the French president stepping out to negotiate with police, who cited Trump’s imminent arrival, before making the call. Observers noted Macron’s frustration as he walked approximately half a mile, with social media buzzing about Trump’s likely curt response—widely guessed to be a dismissive “deal with it” or similar, though no official confirmation has emerged.