Reuters
President Donald Trump reportedly has a "bizarre" interest in calling French President Emmanuel Macron on the phone.
- President Donald Trump reportedly has a "bizarre" interest in French President Emmanuel Macron and randomly calls him, leaving France's leader confused as to why Trump has reached out.
- Trump has repeatedly boasted about his strong relationship with Macron, and on Friday tweeted they had a "very good phone call" on an array of topics, including "security and trade."
- White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended Trump and claimed foreign leaders are appreciative of the president's willingness to "take their calls day and night."
President Donald Trump reportedly has a "bizarre" interest in French President Emmanuel Macron and randomly calls him, leaving France's leader confused as to why Trump has reached out.
A former national security official told Politico that Trump wants to talk to Macron "constantly," sometimes calling him for no particular reason.
"Macron would be like: 'Hey what are we talking about?' These are very busy people. You don't just call to check in," the official said. "The standard is you don't have your principal call unless you're asking for something or trying to reward a behavior, either a carrot or a stick. You don't just randomly call."
A White House official claimed Macron requested a majority of the calls with Trump.
Trump has repeatedly boasted about his strong relationship with Macron and on Friday tweeted they had a "very good phone call" on an array of topics, including "security and trade."
According to Politico, Trump also struggles to grasp the concept of time zones and aides have to remind him on a "constant basis" as he attempts to call other world leaders at awkward hours.
The White House defended Trump's apparent love for chit-chatting with his global counterparts on the phone, telling Politico it has helped the president establish "good rapports" with other world leaders.
"The president has developed strong relationships and good rapports that are not only friendly, but also allow for candid conversations with many of America's closest allies," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. "He has even worked the phone with our competitors, injecting stability into bilateral relationships that are undergoing contentious, but necessary readjustments to place American interests first."
Sanders further claimed foreign leaders are appreciative of Trump's willingness to "take their calls day and night."