Trump reveals the one weakness Emmanuel Macron used to lure him to G7 dinner

PARIS, FRANCE: President Donald Trump has revealed the one personal weakness French President Emmanuel Macron used to persuade him to stay for a special dinner during the recent G7 summit in France.

Speaking to Axios' Marc Caputo on 'The Axios Show,' Trump reflected on Macron's invitation to an event held at the Palace of Versailles and admitted that the French leader knew exactly what would get him to change his plans.

While discussing the summit, Trump explained that he had not initially planned to attend the gathering but ultimately changed his mind after Macron extended a personal invitation tied to one of France's most famous landmarks.

Donald Trump says Emmanuel Macron knew his 'weakness'

When Caputo asked Trump about his weakness, the president initially appeared reluctant to answer.

"I can't say. I will tell you, though, that these couple of days were interesting," Trump said before launching into a story about Macron's invitation.

According to Trump, Macron personally reached out about a week before the event and asked him to come to Paris.

"And he invited me about a week before. He said, 'Would you do me a favor? Would you come to Paris? We'd like to honor you.' I view it as honoring the nation. But he said, I'd like to honor you," Trump recalled.

The president said the event featured some of the most influential figures from across Europe and beyond. Despite that, he was still leaning toward skipping it.

"I was sort of not going to do it, but he knew my weakness because I like Versailles, it's one of the great places," Trump said.

He later summed up the attraction in even simpler terms, explaining, "Versailles is not gold leaf - Versailles is the real deal."

Versailles helped keep Donald Trump at the G7 summit

Trump's comments suggest the invitation achieved exactly what Macron hoped it would.

The French president hosted a private reception, show, and dinner at the historic palace as part of celebrations marking America's 250th birthday.

Trump acknowledged that the setting itself played a major role in convincing him to stay.

"I'm a fan of beautiful places," he said while discussing the event.

Upon arriving at the palace, Trump posed for photographs in front of Versailles' famous golden doors before joining the evening's festivities.

For Macron, the event carried significance beyond ceremonial pageantry.

The French leader had indicated that he wanted Trump to remain at the summit through its conclusion as leaders worked toward agreements on several international issues.

The elaborate welcome also highlighted Macron's long-standing approach to diplomacy with Trump, one that often relies on personal attention, symbolism, and memorable settings.

Donald Trump praises Emmanuel Macron's hosting skills

Beyond discussing Versailles, Trump also had warm words for Macron's handling of the summit.

"I'll tell you what, he did a great job of hosting the G7. Really good. No games, no nothing," Trump said.

He later returned to the subject while answering Caputo's question.

"Like, places like Versailles. But no, it's incredible. And it's not something they do. I understand. They don't do that. They don't do dinners at Versailles. And we had a fantastic dinner. I think he did a fantastic job," Trump said.

The conversation eventually shifted to larger international matters, including Trump's belief that Russia should have remained part of what was once the G8.