US EditionFrance’s Macron laughs off ‘harmless’ eye condition as he addresses troops
Macron announced a €36 billion military budget increase and a recruitment drive aiming for 42,500 volunteers by 2035, reinforcing France's Arctic presence amid rising tensions.
- On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron joked about a `completely harmless` eye condition during a New Year address to France's armed forces at Istres military air base, southern France.
- Macron opened his speech by saying `Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye,` and added `It is, of course, something completely harmless.`
- Appearing with a puffy, red eye, Macron also wore sunglasses during an outdoor troop inspection at the Istres military air base.
- In a lighter moment, Macron referenced `Eye of the Tiger` and joked it was `a sign of determination` for those who catch the tribute, in an apparent nod to Survivor's song.
- His speech outlined 2026 military priorities, including accelerated rearmament, continued support for Ukraine, and troop deployment to Greenland to support Denmark.
67 Articles
67 Articles
Unexpected for Emmanuel Macron during his speech to the French armed forces at the beginning of the year. The president appeared on stage with a red eye: “I apologize for the unsightly nature of my eye — he ironized — it's something completely harmless.” Macron then associated the red eye with an 'involuntary reference' to the eye of the tiger. “It's a sign of determination,” he then explained to those present, referring to the title of Rocky's …
The French president is sending troops to Greenland and announcing a strengthening of the military.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered his annual New Year's address to the country's armed forces. In addition to the content of the speech itself, which largely dealt with the situation with Greenland, several social media users reacted to Macron's eye, reports the newspaper Le Parisien.
French President Emmanuel Macron appeared with a red eye at an event dedicated to the military, where he made a sarcastic remark about his appearance. However, he assured that it was nothing serious.
For his wishes to the army, the French president presented himself with a slight concern for health. ...
Before giving his speech on Thursday, the President of the Republic ironized: "Just see it as a non-voluntary reference to the tiger's eye at the beginning of the year."
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
