French President Emmanuel Macron has been the subject of widespread attention and criticism following a series of photos depicting him boxing. Aimed at cultivating a strongman image amidst unpleasant rumours about his marriage, these images have sparked a variety of reactions. Critics argue that Macron's attempt to project physical strength, especially in light of France's stance on Ukraine and efforts to toughen the EU's response to Russia's invasion, falls short and appears as a superficial PR stunt. Some commentators have drawn parallels between Macron's photos and the macho imagery often associated with autocrats, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The photos have also been interpreted as a response to criticisms of Macron's leadership and personal life, as well as a jab at Putin's well-documented penchant for macho displays. Amidst this, Macron is pushing for increased defense spending within the EU through joint bonds, a move adamantly opposed by Germany. He is also ramping up pressure on his government to find budget savings while funding aid to Ukraine, building new nuclear reactors, and seeking to make France more business-friendly. An Italian MP's description of Macron as 'feminine' days before the release of the boxing photos adds another layer to the narrative, suggesting a calculated attempt at image management.
Emmanuel Macron might be a clown, but he’s a dangerous clown French elites are traumatised by the decline of their country, and their leader is throwing his toys out of the pram Timofey Bordachev: https://t.co/ItBt0CwOJb https://t.co/uAqUUhFyA0
French President Emmanuel Macron is ramping up pressure on his government to find budget savings https://t.co/LifoixQ8F9 via @Newsbaum_ https://t.co/gYuOk1SReI
French President Emmanuel Macron was pictured pounding a punching bag, teeth clenched and biceps bulging, as he seeks to toughen up the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/F24BfitCMf
France's president pounds a punching bag on camera, and Europe notices https://t.co/6qsy8jCMmR
Italian MP sparks uproar after describing Emmanuel Macron as 'feminine' during senate speech days before French leader posted macho boxing pictures https://t.co/fEbt7A8Mhx https://t.co/OkrNOR3xff
Macron wants to look like a heavyweight beside Putin – but it’s all PR https://t.co/4lPp9IHfZ0
French President Emmanuel Macron is ramping up pressure on his government to find budget savings at the same time as funding aid to Ukraine, building new nuclear reactors and seeking to make his country friendlier for business https://t.co/eGVGKz98A9
Addressed to Putin: a French expert deciphered pictures of Macron as a boxer Almost all photographs of Emmanuel Macron published by his administration are selected in such a way as to convey a certain message - and his recent photographs during a boxing training were no… https://t.co/ZLPLxh13vl
French President Emmanuel Macron’s latest Raging Bull-style portraits show him adopting the kind of imagery often used by autocrats after he ramped up his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions https://t.co/6yPNqyexOe via @jsyche https://t.co/YeDbVTjacM
France’s Unpopular Macron is Warmongering Over Ukraine, Posting Pictures of Himself Boxing to Try to Show Strength via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/4rbyTm4Wo6
What was French President Emmanuel Macron thinking with those boxing pictures? If Macron wants to portray himself as the European heavyweight ready to sort out Putin, not everyone is buying it, writes @michael2day https://t.co/NpI5VfHfO7
The French president seems to have the eye of the tiger in his latest Rocky-like official photoshoot, but many wonder who Macron is really posing for. Is he using President Putin's macho playbook to back up his stance on Ukraine? https://t.co/Va0kkQKll5
Macron preparing to fight the Russian in melee range in Ukraine. "My fist is the new red line" https://t.co/XYOPfjENML
Bild issued a version that the “brutal” photos of Emmanuel Macron are some kind of “declaration of war on macho Putin.” True, in the same article the author expresses doubt that Macron’s biceps were not enlarged using some kind of graphic editor. https://t.co/tw93CS2hoE
Macron ridiculed for boxing photos - Le Huffington Post French politicians ridiculed President Emmanuel Macron for his published photos while practicing boxing, writes Le Huffington Post. Thus, Green Party senator Yannick Jadot noted that the president would be better off… https://t.co/U6fCfZwhJo
JANET STREET-PORTER: As unpleasant rumours swirl about his marriage, Macron responds in the only way he knows how - by staging a macho photoshoot. But just like those of the Russian leader, these cringey shoots are d**k on the table diplomacy at its worst https://t.co/e2TnzFkY5b https://t.co/UPs0uY7Z6d
🇫🇷😅 Macron training to be the real man in his marriage? If you and your "wife" were put in a ring, I'd bet all my life savings on "he's" kicking your аss. https://t.co/16urx0fXtF
Macron has tried to cultivate a strongman image. The memes would suggest this attempt has come up short. https://t.co/MnpRwTOdpQ
The French president's gritty boxing pictures have got people's attention - but how do they compare to other politicians' attempts to show off their physical prowess? https://t.co/jlUBhVpS1h
French President Emmanuel Macron has caused a stir with a photo of him boxing. Not to be outdone, Tory MPs from the 1922 Committee were also photographed standing round a punchbag https://t.co/B8r7KruAMy
Macron's boxing photos show off his muscles - but he's not the first leader to try to flaunt his strength https://t.co/6nhYEmXnpQ
"Macron will urge EU leaders Thurs to embrace radical plans to boost defense spending, reviving demands for joint bonds that are adamantly opposed by Germany" https://t.co/jY7a0T8P50