Diana Moukalled

By : Diana Moukalled

:: During US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a famous Egyptian anchor said on live television, in reference to the first lady: “Look at the beautiful dessert in the White House.” Male and female Arab anchors have been extensively describing Melania’s beauty ever since. A few of them have pointed out the couple’s age difference.

In the case of French presidential nominee Emmanuel Macron, the difference is shocking. He is young and married to his former teacher Brigitte, who is 24 years older. The age difference between Macron and Brigitte is the same as between Trump and Melania, but there is much more interest in Macron’s story.

Global media focus on Brigitte’s age has become like an epidemic. Now media outlets, such as those in Russia that support far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, are trying to take down Macron from the angle of his wife. They have even interviewed psychologists who say Macron’s love for Brigitte is like that for a mother.

The double standard applied to Macron and Brigitte, compared with Trump and Melania, is annoying. It is obvious that the world, including the West, still looks traditionally and conservatively at gender roles and women growing older.

Diana Moukalled

Britain’s Daily Mail tabloid published an article by Jan Moir that tried to speak on his behalf: “How can I get the world to take me seriously if they think I am a mummy’s boy?” Moir urged Macron not to take his wife to official meetings.

His marriage to Brigitte is undoubtedly interesting, given that a 16-year-old fell in love with his teacher 24 years his senior. They did not marry until Macron was 30 years old and the relationship had been ongoing for 10 years. But media attention will likely continue, particularly as it goes against the standard of traditional marriages and the stereotype of an older leader and his dependent young wife. His opponents will use this against him.

The double standard applied to Macron and Brigitte, compared with Trump and Melania, is annoying. It is obvious that the world, including the West, still looks traditionally and conservatively at gender roles and women growing older. No wonder female leaders such as Germany’s Angela Merkel and the UK’s Theresa May appear without their husbands, to protect their image as leaders.

Diana Moukalled is a veteran journalist with extensive experience in both traditional and new media. She is also a columnist and freelance documentary producer. She can be reached on Twitter @dianamoukalled.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in the Column section are their own and do not reflect RiyadhVision’s point-of-view.

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