Overview

• Video shows a New York police officer stopping Emmanuel Macron near the UN, apologizing and explaining the street was frozen for President Donald Trump’s motorcade.
• Waiting at the barricade, Macron phoned Trump and joked he was “waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” according to widely shared clips.
• Reuters and AP report that Macron used the moment to suggest a short discussion with Trump and Qatar about Gaza, with a source describing the call as warm and friendly.
• Once the area reopened only to pedestrians, Macron proceeded on foot toward the French Embassy, greeting bystanders and posing for photos.
• The episode unfolded shortly after Macron’s UN address in which he announced France’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state, during the heavy security “freeze” typical of UNGA week.