Macron welcomes Modi to G7 with song winning hearts online – here’s what Trump got | Today’s news
The 2026 G7 summit kicked off in the picturesque town of Évian-les-Bains in France, but the all-important discussions on global governance and economic stability weren’t the only things making headlines.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s Instagram account has taken center stage and turned heads globally with a masterclass in pop-culture statecraft. Macron’s team bypassed dry, standard institutional press releases and implemented a hyper-personalized strategy of red carpet greetings.
By pairing incoming world leaders with iconic, culturally resonant soundtracks, the French president has effectively transformed traditional diplomatic protocol into a viral spectacle fit for algorithms.
Macron’s G7 arrival playlist
Macron’s latest move on Instagram is arguably his most viral moment on the internet — treating global heads of state less like formal bureaucrats and more like headliners on a global tour.
The French digital team tailored the soundtracks to match the national identity and specific personalities of the leaders.
Why the “Jai Ho” moment won the Internet?
Macron’s reel welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood out as a masterstroke in cultural soft power.
Featuring the native Hindi catchphrase ‘Swagat Hai’, the short clip featured visuals of the two leaders sharing a warm embrace, contrasted with the soaring rise of AR Rahman’s Oscar-winning score.
Indian social media users were moved by Macron’s choice of song, an anthem deeply rooted in national pride, as they flooded the comments section with heart and fire emojis.
“Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the world,” said the user. “Thank you very much, President Emmanuel Macron,” added another. User said: “Two legends in one frame.”
A user praised his choice of song for PM Modi and said, “Choice of song for honorable PM 👏 earlier song Dhurandhar and now Jai ho.”
“Bro’s Song Selection day by day 💀📈” added another user.
From British Suave to American Rock
For British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the strategy smoothly shifted to the film reference. Aligning Starmer’s arrival with the unmistakable brass chords of the James Bond theme immediately gamified his walk, offering a playful but reverent salute to British pop-culture history.
Meanwhile, the arrival of US President Donald Trump leaned on the power of classic American arena rock. By selecting a defiant, high-energy track from the likes of Tom Petty, Macron’s team demonstrated a keen awareness of individual branding.
Rather than forcing each leader into the same rigid institutional mold, the campaign drew on their distinct public personas.
