NEW YORK – An unexpected logistical snag involving the motorcades of two world leaders unfolded in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening. French President Emmanuel Macron’s convoy was temporarily blocked by police securing a route for U.S. President Donald Trump, leading Macron to make a phone call and eventually continue his journey on foot.
The incident occurred following President Macron’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly. As his motorcade departed UN headquarters, it was halted by New York Police Department officers who had closed the street to accommodate President Trump’s convoy.
According to officials, President Macron placed a lighthearted call to President Trump to discuss the situation. While the exact details of the conversation are not public, the outcome was that Macron and his security detail exited their vehicles and walked several blocks through the city to reach the French embassy.
French officials have downplayed the event, characterizing it as a minor logistical issue that did not impact Macron’s schedule.
However, the incident quickly sparked commentary on social media. Some users, such as Dr. Eli David on X (formerly Twitter), framed the event as a deliberate humiliation by Trump, claiming the U.S. president told his French counterpart to “walk instead.” This interpretation contrasts with the official French characterization of the event as a minor disrupt
