French President Emmanuel Macron ’s convoy was stopped by police in New York City on Monday, bringing traffic to a standstill during the high-level UN General Assembly session, reports news agency PTI.
The delay was caused by strict traffic restrictions in place for US President Donald Trump’s motorcade.
A vrial video on social media shows Macron and his delegation waiting on the sidewalk while a New York police official apologises. “I’m sorry, President, I’m really sorry. Just that everything has been frozen right now. There is a motorcade coming right now this way. I’m sorry,” the officer said.
Macron responded, pointing across the road, “If you don't see it, let me cross.” He added, “How are you? Guess what, I am waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” while speaking on the phone, apparently to Trump.
PTI, quoting sources, said that whenever the US president travels to the UN headquarters, security measures impose a “freeze”, shutting down traffic across several blocks around the building.
The video also shows Macron walking on the sidewalk, talking on the phone and accompanied by his delegation. He stopped to pose for photographs with passersby while France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, captured the moments.
Trump arrived in New York City on Monday evening to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address world leaders from the UNGA hall podium on Tuesday morning, marking his first address at the UNGA General Debate in his second term.
The delay was caused by strict traffic restrictions in place for US President Donald Trump’s motorcade.
Awkward moment: Macron stopped in New York because of Trump’s motorcade
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) September 23, 2025
Police who had blocked roads for Donald Trump’s motorcade mistakenly stopped the car of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron got out of the vehicle, called Trump, and jokingly asked him to “clear the… pic.twitter.com/fcRd3Md336
A vrial video on social media shows Macron and his delegation waiting on the sidewalk while a New York police official apologises. “I’m sorry, President, I’m really sorry. Just that everything has been frozen right now. There is a motorcade coming right now this way. I’m sorry,” the officer said.
Macron responded, pointing across the road, “If you don't see it, let me cross.” He added, “How are you? Guess what, I am waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you,” while speaking on the phone, apparently to Trump.
PTI, quoting sources, said that whenever the US president travels to the UN headquarters, security measures impose a “freeze”, shutting down traffic across several blocks around the building.
The video also shows Macron walking on the sidewalk, talking on the phone and accompanied by his delegation. He stopped to pose for photographs with passersby while France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, captured the moments.
Trump arrived in New York City on Monday evening to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address world leaders from the UNGA hall podium on Tuesday morning, marking his first address at the UNGA General Debate in his second term.
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