Macron’s Indoor Aviators at Davos Spark Buzz—And Reveal a Personal Health Issue Amid Rising Tensions With Trump
Emmanuel Macron made a memorable entrance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday—wearing classic aviator-style sunglasses indoors.
The French president’s eyewear drew almost as much attention as his speech.
And it immediately raised the obvious question: why the sunglasses inside?
As Macron walked onto the Davos stage, he opened by condemning President Trump’s proposals regarding Greenland and criticizing the use of tariffs to pressure European countries. He delivered a pointed message about global politics, denouncing autocratic powers and defending international law.
“We do believe that we need more growth, we need more stability in this world, but we do prefer respect to bullies,” he said. “We do prefer science to (conspiracies) and we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
But it wasn’t only his remarks making headlines. Macron was also wearing sleek, blue-tinted sunglasses indoors. While some assumed it was a fashion statement, the reason was far more personal.
Macron has been dealing with an eye issue, something he had already mentioned earlier at a military event in Istres, in southern France.
“Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye. It is, of course, something completely harmless,” he said.
He even gave it a playful nickname: l’oeil du tigre—“eye of the tiger”—a nod to the famous Survivor song from Rocky III.
Social media reacts
“For those who get the reference, it’s a sign of determination,” Macron explained.
Doctors later confirmed the cause: a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, a harmless burst blood vessel in his right eye that can look dramatic—red, swollen, or puffy—despite not affecting vision. It can be triggered by sneezing, rubbing the eye, or other minor irritation. Many people choose sunglasses simply to avoid attention, and Macron appeared to be doing the same.
“Some people might think he’s ill, so to avoid being photographed in that state, he decided to wear sunglasses,” said Dr. Jimmy Mohamed.
Online reactions arrived instantly. Some mocked him as a “show-off,” using the French slang kéké. Others joked he was trying to look like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. One person wrote, “More world leaders should wear sunglasses when giving speeches, actually,” while another quipped, “Macron is wearing sunglasses because Europe’s future is too bright.”
Which brand of sunglasses did Macron wear at Davos?
It is not possible to confirm the brand with absolute certainty, but the clues point toward French-made eyewear. One likely candidate is Visages. In June 2025, Macron received a pair of 3D-printed glasses from the French startup, and the ultralight, high-tech frames he wore in Davos closely resemble the company’s signature look.
Another possibility is Vuarnet. Macron has shown support for the Meaux-based brand before—he even gifted Joe Biden a pair of Vuarnet Edge sunglasses in June 2024, highlighting French design.
Although the Davos frames had a classic aviator feel, they did not appear to be Ray-Bans, despite the American brand’s French-Italian ownership. Macron’s lenses showed no white logo or “RB” marking, and the details—wire-frame arms and a straighter double bridge—did not match typical mass-produced designs.
Wearing a French brand in front of the world’s most powerful leaders is more than a style choice—it signals industrial sovereignty. Macron is known for being intentional with these kinds of details.
From suits by the Paris-based Jonas & Cie, to watches from Lip, Awake, and Pequignet, and even shoes from JM Weston in Limoges, he consistently spotlights French craftsmanship, turning personal style into a statement of national pride.
Trump’s leaked picture
The sunglasses were not the only reason Macron drew attention at Davos.
Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump shared a message from Macron in which the French leader expressed concern about Trump’s continuing threats over Greenland.
The message read:
“My friend, We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things: 1) I can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon. I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians in the margins. 2) Let us have a dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back to the US. Emmanuel.”
Tensions between Trump and Macron hit a new low on Monday after Trump threatened 200% tariffs on French wine, responding to France’s decision to decline an invitation to join his “board of peace.”
On Saturday, Macron posted on X: “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.” He later told reporters he did not plan to speak with Trump during the Davos summit.