New York City traffic snared even French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, when a police officer stopped him from crossing a street because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade.
Unlike most pedestrians, Macron decided to turn the moment into a joke. With cameras rolling, he pulled out his phone and called Trump directly from the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry, Mister President, I’m really sorry,” the officer told Macron, explaining that “everything’s been frozen right now” for the motorcade. Macron, grinning, replied: “If you don’t see it, let me cross. I negotiate with you.”
Unable to move, he phoned Trump. “Guess what—I’m waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” he said, adding that he hoped to use the unexpected pause for a quick chat with Trump and Qatar about Gaza.
The clip quickly spread on social media, showing a lighter side to the diplomatic gridlock surrounding the UN General Assembly.
French President Emmanuel Macron called President Trump after being blocked from crossing a New York street due to a VIP motorcade, the AP reported.
Macron told police he was attempting to walk to France’s diplomatic mission following his speech at the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/j7B4fAYF8e
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 23, 2025
