Video: Keir Starmer dons 'Top Gun' aviators to poke fun at Macron; French PM plays plays along

British PM Keir Starmer made light of French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent appearance in aviator sunglasses after the French president’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The prime minister appeared at The Political Party Live at the Duchess Theatre, where he was interviewed in front of a live audience. During the show, Starmer was handed a pair of sunglasses, which he put on before saying “Bonjour,” a playful nod to Macron.




A clip of the moment was later shared on TikTok. Starmer referenced the film Top Gun in the caption, writing: “Talk to me, Goose.” Macron responded in the comments, joining in the joke: “For sure.”




The exchange followed Macron’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, where he wore dark, reflective aviator sunglasses while delivering a speech on geopolitics. The French president was responding to threats from Donald Trump over tariffs on European countries unless they agreed to a US purchase of Greenland.

In his speech, Macron criticised Washington’s tone, defended European sovereignty, and spoke about Europe’s role on the global stage as leaders debated the impact of Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland.

He said: “…having a place like Europe, which sometimes is too slow, for sure, and needs to be reformed for sure, but which is predictable, loyal, and where, well, you know that the rule of the game is just a rule of law, it’s a good place. And I think this is a good place for today and for tomorrow.”

Macron kept his sunglasses on while speaking indoors, which drew attention online. His office later said the reason was medical, explaining that the president had suffered a burst blood vessel in his eye and was wearing sunglasses to protect it from harsh lighting.