Macron’s Rafale post triggers meme storm
File Photo
File Photo
June, 21 2025
(Web Desk): French President Macron’s post on X promoting the Rafale jet backfired online due to recent Indo-Pak clashes, where two Rafales were shot down, resulted in a widespread mockery and memes from social media users, especially Pakistanis.

French President Emmanuel Macron triggered online debate after he posted a dramatic message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “European friends, you have a call,” alongside a visually striking image of a Rafale fighter jet with the caption, “Rafale is calling.” The post appeared to be a symbolic call to Europe for strategic unity and military readiness, possibly an endorsement of French defense capabilities and the flagship Rafale aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation.

But the timing of the post raised eyebrows worldwide. Macron’s message came just weeks after two Rafale jets, deployed by the Indian Air Force, were reportedly shot down during a fierce aerial confrontation with Pakistani fighter aircraft in the latest round of Indo-Pakistani tensions. The irony of showcasing the Rafale as a symbol of strength right after a military setback involving the same aircraft did not go unnoticed.

The internet reacted swiftly and mercilessly. Macron’s tweet was flooded with replies mocking both the French jet and the post itself. Social media users from South Asia especially from Pakistan pounced on the opportunity to troll the French leader. One user sarcastically replied, “Rafale is calling—but Pakistan answered with a missile,” while another wrote, “Yes, it’s calling... from the crash site.” Some random user shared the same picture of Rafale having written “Signal Lost” on it.

Another user replied by writing “Call Disconnected” by showing crashed part of Rafale.

Dozens of memes began circulating, depicting burning jets, ejecting pilots, and Rafale jets holding up white flags. One very viral meme shows the word “calling” changed to “falling” making it “Rafale is falling”. The post, which was likely meant to project confidence in Europe’s defense technology, inadvertently became a canvas for criticism, satire, and nationalistic pride from Pakistani users who viewed the recent incident as a strategic victory.

Even neutral observers and defense commentators joined the conversation, questioning the optics of Macron’s post. “This tweet might have worked better if not for the Rafale’s poor showing in South Asia this week,” one analyst noted. It is amusing to note that the commentary account of Chinese President XI Jingping also reacted to the post of French President by writing just “Salam Hello?”

It should be remembered that Pakistan shot 6 Indian planes down including 2 Rafales in retaliation to the Indian unprovoked escalation on the night of May 7-8. Initially, India denied any plane crash but eventually Indian Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, accepted the fact of losing fighter jets in his interview with an international media organization

          
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