Trump wipes ‘dandruff’ off Macron’s shoulder

President Trump paused during comments to reporters alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to brush a speck of dandruff off his counterpart’s shoulder, remarking that Macron needed to look “perfect.”

The smiling Macron said nothing as Trump told members of the media that reports about the United States’ “special” relationship with France was not “fake news,” then turned to him and removed an unseen particle from Macron’s suit.

{mosads}

“They’re all saying what a great relationship we have, and they’re actually correct. It’s not fake news. Finally, it’s not fake news. It’s a great honor, a great honor that you’re here, in fact I’ll get that little piece of dandruff, that little piece,” Trump said, laughing.

“We have to make him perfect. He is perfect. So it’s really great to be with you, and you are a special friend. Thank you,” Trump said, shaking Macron’s hand.

Macron is in Washington this week for an official state dinner at the White House, his first since Trump’s inauguration last year. The two will also have a one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office to discuss global policy.

“The wonderful friendship we have developed over the last year is a testament to the enduring friendship that binds our two nations,” Trump said Tuesday during a formal arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.

The two leaders have a history of awkward physical contact, famously sharing an aggressive handshake ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels last year.

Macron went on to tell reporters that the gesture from Trump “wasn’t innocent,” but declined to criticize Trump further.

“One must show that you won’t make small concessions, even symbolic ones, but also not over-publicize things, either,” he told Le Journal du Dimanche in May.