Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ shades charm internet, get mocked by Trump at Davos
The French leader’s US$770 sunglasses, which he wore as he criticised the US president, have sparked a flood of social media memes
French President Emmanuel Macron’s aviator sunglasses have caught the eye, with social media users debating his choice of a Top Gun look as he criticised US President Donald Trump over Greenland during his speech in Davos.
As he spoke at the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos on Tuesday, the French president wore dark, reflective sunglasses.
Memes, comments and speculation over his appearance surged on social media, with some supporters praising him for his Top Gun look while opponents dismissed it as bombastic or speculated about his health.
Macron’s office said the choice to wear sunglasses during his speech, which took place indoors, was to protect his eyes because of a burst blood vessel.
One meme, with the headline “Duel in Davos”, was styled like a Top Gun parody, with Macron and Trump eyeballing each other, both wearing military-style flight suits, and Macron, looking very small next to Trump, sporting oversized aviator sunglasses.
References to the 1986 movie starring Tom Cruise were ubiquitous.
“Trump: be careful … Macron is here,” one social media user said, with a picture of the French president with the aviator glasses. “Could he not find some more sober glasses?” another user asked.