Trump Roasts Macron in Cabinet Meeting: Laughter Erupts Over Drug Price Negotiation Tale
In a lively White House cabinet meeting held in late January 2026, President Donald Trump recounted a dramatic phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, sparking widespread laughter among attendees as he detailed his tough negotiating tactics on prescription drug prices.
Trump used the anecdote to highlight his administration’s push to end what he described as decades of American subsidization of global pharmaceutical costs. He argued that European countries, including France, negotiate significantly lower drug prices, forcing U.S. consumers to bear a disproportionate burden. Under policies like his “most-favored-nation” approach, Trump has sought to align U.S. prices with the lowest international rates by pressuring allies to pay more.
According to Trump’s retelling, he directly called Macron and demanded that France raise its domestic drug prices. Macron reportedly resisted, saying something along the lines of, “No, no, Donald, I will not do this. You’re asking me to double the price? I won’t even consider it.” Trump claimed he responded with an ultimatum: agree, or face steep tariffs—including a 25% levy on all French goods imported to the U.S. and a 100% tariff specifically on wines and champagnes.
“He was not, at that time, wearing sunglasses,” Trump quipped, taking a playful jab at Macron’s signature aviator style—a recurring theme in Trump’s commentary on the French leader, especially after Macron’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos where he wore them due to an eye issue. The line drew immediate bursts of laughter from the cabinet room, amplifying the humorous tone of the storytelling.
Trump concluded the story by saying Macron eventually relented, with the conversation ending on terms favorable to the U.S. position. He framed the exchange as a victory in forcing “fair share” contributions from allies and a step toward dramatically lowering prescription costs for Americans.
The moment quickly went viral, with clips circulating on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Pro-Trump channels praised it as classic deal-making bravado and a “historic win” for American patients, while critics dismissed the account as exaggerated or embellished for effect.
France’s government swiftly pushed back, labeling Trump’s version “fake news.” Officials clarified that President Macron does not personally set drug prices in France—that process involves health authorities and negotiations with pharmaceutical companies—and denied any agreement to hike prices under U.S. pressure.
The episode underscores Trump’s signature style: blending policy advocacy with sharp, entertaining personal anecdotes that often target foreign leaders. Whether the dialogue unfolded exactly as described or included some dramatic flair, it undeniably entertained the cabinet and fueled online discussion about U.S. drug pricing reform and transatlantic relations.
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