President Trump once again reminded the world that he does diplomacy his own way, and this time he did it by publicly releasing private messages from Emmanuel Macron. In an early morning Truth Social post Tuesday, President Trump shared screenshots of messages from Macron praising his recent military actions in Syria, while awkwardly disagreeing with him on Greenland. The result was equal parts transparency, leverage, and a very public flex.
According to New York Post, President Trump said he released the messages because they “made my point.” And the point was obvious. European leaders who publicly criticize Trump’s policies are far more deferential behind closed doors, especially when they need something. In this case, they needed Trump’s help in Syria.
Trump revealed that he spent Monday stopping a prison break involving European terrorists in Syria, a detail that had not been publicly disclosed until now. “I did a great job,” Trump said, explaining that European ISIS fighters were attempting to escape from a prison in northeastern Syria. Working with the Syrian government and its new leader, Syrian forces recaptured the terrorists and put them back behind bars. These were not minor criminals. Trump described them as “the worst terrorists in the world, all from Europe.”
The prison break occurred at Al Shaddadi prison in Syria’s Hasakah province, during fighting between Syrian government forces and Kurdish groups that had previously been backed by the United States. Once the dust settled, control of detention facilities holding roughly 8,000 ISIS fighters was transferred, and most of the escapees were quickly recaptured. Europe benefited directly from Trump’s actions, even if they would rather not say so publicly.
That is where the private messages come in. Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte both praised President Trump for his handling of the situation and urged continued dialogue, particularly regarding Trump’s push to acquire Greenland. All of this happened just hours before global elites were set to gather in Davos.
Trump made it clear he is done pretending these leaders are equals in leverage. After threatening 10 percent tariffs on eight European nations opposing his Greenland plan, suddenly the tone changed. Invitations, praise, and requests for cooperation started flowing. Funny how that works.
To drive the point home, Trump also hinted at slapping France with a massive 200 percent tariff on wine and champagne after Macron reportedly declined to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative. Asked about Macron’s refusal, Trump shrugged it off, saying nobody wants him anyway because he will be out of office soon. He then added that a wine tariff might change Macron’s mind, or not, either way, Trump was not begging.
This episode perfectly captures Trump’s approach to foreign policy. Results first, feelings last. While critics clutch their pearls over leaked messages, European leaders are quietly relieved that someone is actually stopping terrorists instead of holding summits about it. Trump exposed what many already knew. When things get serious, Europe still calls America, and America still answers, on Trump’s terms.
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