France’s president pounds a punching bag on camera, and Europe notices

LONDON — The teeth clench. In moody black and white, photos of French President Emmanuel Macron pounding a punching bag arched eyebrows across Europe on Thursday after his official photographer posted them to social media in what was widely received as the latest round in his drive to toughen up the region’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And Daniel Johnson in the Telegraph called him “a prancing poseur”: “Past presidents like Resistance hero General de Gaulle felt no need to show off.” Macron’s office said it would not comment on the photos. It was “a moment of truth,” he said, adding: “One must show that you won’t make small concessions, even symbolic ones, but also not overpublicize things, either.” MACRON IS A MEDIA-SAVVY LEADER Macron is well aware of the power of visual content to convey messages. Valerie Doustaly, a Paris-based image consultant, said Thursday’s photos appeared aimed at communicating a feeling about Macron’s “lifestyle and personal life, which is increasingly important for any profession, even for the role of a president.” “There is a clear strategy to show the health, youth and strength of someone who chooses boxing as a sport,” Doustaly said.