Hand in pocket: Did Macron break White House protocol?
ALBAWABA - French President Emmanuel Macron has once again sparked buzz on social media after reportedly breaking White House protocol during his meeting with Trump in Washington, D.C.
The summit involved well-known European leaders such as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Emmanuel Macron, who joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
During a photo with Trump and the other attending European leaders, Macron broke the White House protocol by placing one of his hands in his pocket, sparking debate on social media with clips of the moment flooding several platforms.
What is Macron doing with his hand in his pocket as Trump, EU leaders, and Zelensky take a family photo?
Wrong answers only pic.twitter.com/IzsNhXmZHI — RT (@RT_com) August 19, 2025
Polish tabloid outlet Fakt stated that Macron did break the White House protocol since his gesture appeared "too casual" for a formal event involving fellow politicians.
Fakt wrote in its article, "The insouciance of Emmanuel Macron is amazing. He keeps his hand in his pocket, which is not customary during status events of such a high rank."
This is not the first time Macron has gone viral on social media. In May, the French President sparked controversy after hiding a suspicious tissue and object in a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a train journey back from Kyiv, Ukraine.
In response to the video, rumors flooded social media with some users claiming that Macron tried to hide cocaine and a snuff spoon. However, French authorities refuted the rumors claiming that the mysterious object is nothing but a used tissue.
The French President also sparked debate on social media on several events involving his wife, Brigitte Macron, when she slapped him while exiting an airplane in Hanoi, Vietnam, and refused to hold his hand during their trip to the UK.
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