July 13, 2017

Trump Tells France’s First Lady: “You’re in Such Beautiful Shape”

The president just can’t seem to help himself.

Michel Euler/AP

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

While the White House continues to amplify its playbook of lies and dismissals on the latest Russia-related scandal to engulf the presidency, President Donald Trump is in Paris this week continuing a tradition of his own: commenting on women’s physical appearances. 

Unlike his previous demeaning and insulting remarks, this time the president paid what he thought would land as a compliment. While exchanging pleasantries with French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, Trump was recorded briefly interrupting the conversation to tell First Lady Brigitte Macron, she was in “such good shape.” He did so while gesturing at her body.

“Beautiful,” he added.

Macron is then seen motioning to her American counterpart, First Lady Melania Trump, to take the lead. The footage was captured by the French president’s Facebook account:

Trump has previously defended his habit of disparaging women’s looks as “entertainment,” claiming nobody holds such high regard for women as he does. He allegedly agreed to permit  Melania to get pregnant  on the condition she promptly “get her body back.” 

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate