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Macron wears aviators indoors at Davos summit
French President Emmanuel Macron drew attention at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday-not just for his political remarks, but for his choice of eyewear. While addressing global leaders, Macron wore reflective blue aviator sunglasses indoors, a decision that quickly became a talking point.
Medical condition behind the shades
French media reports suggest Macron's accessory was linked to a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, a harmless but visible broken blood vessel in his eye. The condition, which causes a red patch on the white of the eye, is painless and typically resolves within two weeks. It can occur from sneezing, coughing, or rubbing the eye, with higher risks for those with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Macron first acknowledged the issue last week during a military event in southern France, where he downplayed it as "totally benign" and "completely insignificant." He even joked about it, referencing the 1982 film Rocky III by calling it "l'oeil du tigre" ("the eye of the tiger"), a nod to Survivor's iconic song.
Sunglasses as a public figure's shield
While the condition doesn't require eye protection, Macron's sunglasses may have served a different purpose. Dr. Jimmy Mohamed, a media commentator, told French broadcaster RTL that the president likely wore them to avoid unwanted attention. "Some people might think he's ill, so to avoid being photographed in that state, he decided to wear sunglasses," Mohamed said. "The glasses protect his image, not really his eye."
Social media reacts with humor and criticism
Macron's fashion choice sparked mixed reactions online. Some users mocked him with the French slang term "kéké," meaning a show-off, while others joked he resembled a "cyborg" or Top Gun actor Tom Cruise. Despite the ridicule, the aviators became a symbol of his unyielding stance during the speech, where he warned against autocracy and "a world without rules."
Political context amid tensions with Trump
The Davos appearance came as Macron criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on eight European nations opposing his proposed Greenland takeover. Macron framed such measures as "leverage against territorial sovereignty," a veiled reference to Trump's broader trade policies. The U.S. leader has also threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne over France's refusal to join his proposed "Board of Peace" for Gaza.
