New Delhi: Donald Trump Monday slammed French president Emmanuel Macron as “publicity seeking” after he claimed the US President left the G7 summit in Canada to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. He added that he was flying back early for something “much bigger than that”.
“Publicity-seeking President Emmanuel Macron of France mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran. Wrong!”, Trump wrote on Truth Social en route to Washington from the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. “He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a ceasefire. Much bigger than that”.
“Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay tuned!” he added.
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier cited “what’s going on in the Middle East” as the reason for Trump’s decision to leave the summit a day ahead of schedule.
Macron, on his part, had suggested to reporters in the G7 summit that Trump’s early departure from the summit was related to diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. “There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange,” Macron said, noting the U.S. “assured they will find a ceasefire and since they can pressure Israel, things may change”.
Meanwhile, President Trump has requested that the National Security Council be assembled in the Situation Room upon his return from the G7 summit, according to Fox News host Lawrence Jones on ‘X’.
Trump’s rejection of Macron’s comments came with ominous undertones. Earlier in the day, Trump, still in Canada, issued a warning on social media, calling for the ‘immediate’ evacuation of Tehran.
He reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, writing emphatically, “Iran can not have a nuclear weapon”.
Referring to last week’s Israeli strikes, Trump claimed the violence could have been avoided if Iran had agreed to the deal he had proposed, calling the conflict “a shame, and waste of human life”.
He then concluded the post with a blunt directive: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
A U.S. official said Monday that Trump even refused to endorse a draft statement from the Group of Seven leaders calling for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict.
According to a copy of the draft seen by Reuters, the statement urged calm; affirmed that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon; defended Israel’s right to self-defence, and pledged to maintain global market stability, including in energy markets.
At the summit, Trump issued a warning to Tehran, insisting it must rein in its nuclear ambitions before it’s “too late”. He claimed Iranian leaders were open to negotiations but had squandered a 60-day window to reach a deal before Israel launched its airstrikes. “They have to make a deal,” Trump said.
When asked what might prompt U.S. military involvement in the conflict, Trump declined to elaborate, saying only, “I don’t want to talk about that”. The summit in Canada is set to conclude Tuesday.
Macron’s Greenland move
Meanwhile, Trump’s statements came after French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland Sunday, delivering what he called a “message of solidarity and friendship” from Europe, while criticising U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to assert control over the strategic, autonomous Danish territory—remarks Macron said were “not something to be done between allies”.
Speaking at Nuuk airport upon his arrival, Macron reaffirmed his stance alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
The visit, which precedes Macron’s return to the G7 summit, marks the first by a foreign head of state to the Arctic territory since Trump reignited controversy by suggesting the U.S. should annex Greenland.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Iran, Israel should make deal just like I got India, Pak to make one: Trump