Emmanuel Macron's aviator sunglasses caught the attention of social media users, who discussed his choice of a "Top Gun" look as he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland during his speech in Davos, Reuters reports.
Speaking to the world's elite at the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos on Wednesday, the French president wore the dark, reflective sunglasses that French brand Henry Jullien said it had gifted him in 2024.
Macron's office said his choice to wear sunglasses during his speech, which was held indoors, was to protect his eyes due to a ruptured blood vessel. closed, was to protect his eyes due to a ruptured blood vessel.
Memes, comments and speculation about Macron's appearance appeared on social media after his speech, with some supporters praising his appearance and opponents dismissing it as pompous or speculating about his health.
One meme, titled "Duel in Davos", was styled as a parody of "Top Gun", with Macron and Trump glaring at each other, both dressed in military-style pilot uniforms, and Macron, looking very small next to Trump, wearing oversized aviator sunglasses.
References to the 1986 film starring Tom Cruise were ubiquitous.
"Trump: watch out... Macron is here," wrote a user on social media X, posting a photo of the French president with aviator glasses. "Couldn't he have found more ordinary glasses?", asked another user.
The Italian right-wing newspaper Libero called Macron "a terrible scoundrel".
Even some of Macron's colleagues got in on the action, with European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad posting a version of the "Soyboy vs. Yes Chad" meme, in which Chad is wearing aviator glasses and dressed in a French flag.
Searches for Henry Jullien glasses worldwide also jumped, peaking around 7 a.m. today. A spokesman for the brand said the company had received an unusually high number of calls.
The French luxury brand, owned by Italian group iVision Tech, said the model worn by Macron was its Pacific S 01, priced at 659 euros.
iVision Tech shares rose almost 6% today.
During his speech, Macron described as "fundamentally unacceptable" Washington's threat to impose new tariffs, including on French wine and champagne, to break Europe's resolve to allow him to buy Greenland.
Macron vowed that France would stand up to "the bullies".