Starmer Channels Top Gun in Playful Jab at Macron's Viral Sunglasses
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has engaged in a lighthearted diplomatic exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron, cleverly referencing the latter's recent fashion statement that captured global attention.
The TikTok Tease That Started It All
During a recording of Matt Forde's Political Party Live podcast at London's Duchess Theatre, Starmer donned a pair of sunglasses before uttering "bonjour" to the audience. This seemingly simple gesture carried deeper significance, directly mocking Macron's decision to wear Top Gun-style aviator sunglasses during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos the previous week.
The prime minister then amplified the joke by uploading a video to his TikTok account, tagging President Macron directly. The caption "talk to me, Goose" referenced the iconic line from the classic film Top Gun, creating an immediate connection between the political leaders and the movie's famous duo.
Macron's Swift Response and Escalating Banter
President Macron responded within minutes, simply writing "for sure" in the comments. This phrase itself became a reference point, echoing his repeated use of the expression during his widely shared Davos speech that had already gained traction online.
Not content to let the joke end there, Starmer escalated the exchange by replying to Macron's comment with a digitally altered image. The mock-up featured both leaders standing side by side in a recreation of a classic Top Gun scene, visually cementing the cinematic comparison that had begun with the sunglasses reference.
The Original Fashion Statement That Sparked the Exchange
The entire exchange originated from President Macron's decision to wear distinctive aviator sunglasses during his Davos appearance. According to the French president, this fashion choice served a practical purpose: to conceal a benign medical issue affecting his right eye.
The sunglasses themselves became an unexpected sensation. Manufactured by French firm Henry Jullien, the Pacific S 01 model carries a price tag of €659 (£573). Following Macron's high-profile wearing, demand surged dramatically, overwhelming the company's online operations to the point where they had to create a dedicated notification page addressing the exceptional volume of enquiries.
Economic Ripple Effects and Cultural Commentary
The commercial impact extended beyond immediate sales. Shares of iVision Tech SpA, the Italian parent company of Henry Jullien, experienced significant growth on Milan's stock exchange. From €1.51 (£1.31) per share when Macron delivered his Tuesday speech, the value climbed to a Friday high of €2.63 (£2.29), demonstrating how a presidential fashion choice can influence market performance.
Stefano Fulchir, iVision's CEO, described the experience as a "crazy week" while expressing honor that President Macron had selected their eyewear for such an important international event.
Cristina Archetti, author of Politicians, Personal Image and The Construction of Political Identity, offered cultural analysis of the moment, suggesting that Macron's sunglasses choice made him appear "relatively young and super cool" while noting that "he does look hot."
Broader Political Context and International Reactions
This playful exchange occurs against the backdrop of serious international cooperation, with both leaders currently leading the so-called 'coalition of the willing' supporting Ukraine. The lighthearted moment provided a humanizing contrast to their typically formal diplomatic interactions.
President Macron wasn't the only world leader to comment on the sunglasses phenomenon. Former US President Donald Trump referenced them during his own Davos address, asking "Those beautiful sunglasses... What the hell happened?" This additional commentary highlighted how Macron's fashion choice had captured attention across the political spectrum.
The entire episode demonstrates how modern political communication has evolved, with leaders increasingly using social media platforms like TikTok for both serious messaging and lighthearted engagement, while traditional diplomatic exchanges now frequently include pop culture references that resonate with broader audiences.
