President Donald Trump might have thought he was paying Brigitte Macron a compliment while meeting with her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday, but the remarks feel anything but kind.
While chatting with the Macrons and First Lady Melania Trump, President Trump told Macron’s wife, “You’re in such good shape.”
He then proceeded to repeat the comment to Macron before turning back to his wife and remarking, “beautiful.”
While such comments appear innocuous, almost complimentary, Trump’s words are significant within the context of the age difference between both presidential couples—while Trump is 24 years older than his wife, Macron is 24 years younger than his.
Many on the internet we quick to point out the subtle undertones in Trump’s words and body language.
Trump tells the First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron: “You’re in such good shape … beautiful”pic.twitter.com/tKCzX15cPl
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 13, 2017
As Macron and Trump bid goodbye to first ladies, Trump looks Brigitte up and down. 'She looks great.. beautiful' https://t.co/4X7D6qGFCI
— Adam Plowright (@ADAMPLOW) July 13, 2017
"For her age" I'm assuming. Brigitte Macron appears to try and hide behind FLOTUS for protection. Is this real life?
— RESPECT VETS Lisa (@Lisa_Battleaxe) July 13, 2017
Gropper-In-Chief, Trump Found A New Handshake Victim…wrenching the arm of France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron. https://t.co/IOOfoV54cS
— A Republic, If You Can Keep It (@StevenReyCristo) July 13, 2017
Well in his eyes he is complimenting Macron too because he sees the First Lady as Macron's property. pic.twitter.com/Sn74H6WAsj
— 💖💜💙Codi 💖💜💙 (@CodiCoday) July 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/Awilsonwatkins/status/885612104602054656
This is also far from the first time Trump has paid compliments to someone—or more so, something—of a particular age. Like the time when commenting on Air Force One, said, “What can look so beautiful at 30? An airplane.”