French President Emmanuel Macron on Oct. 21 dismissed comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Muslim immigrants were to blame for the mass protests and riots currently unfolding in France. Macron described the assertions as “completely false” and “stupid.”
The French leader’s rebuke followed efforts by Trump and several prominent Republicans to link the recent unrest in France to open borders and migration. These claims emerged after anti-government demonstrations, which began on Oct. 17, escalated into violence and looting in various parts of the country. More than half a million people originally took to the streets to protest against the French government, citing concerns over the rising cost of living and high fuel prices. The movement, which initially involved high school and university students advocating for increased educational funding, eventually drew support from labor unions, farmers, and other worker groups.
Macron acknowledged the destruction caused by the riots but emphasized that foreign leaders were misrepresenting the situation. “There is no visible foreign interference in the events that took place, but there has been a foreign manipulation of information,” Macron stated. “That has led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid from many people, including foreign leaders.” When asked by a reporter if he was specifically referencing Trump, the French president confirmed, “Among others, but he is part of it.”
Previously, on Oct. 19, Trump had alleged that Paris would soon become a “Muslim city” and argued that open borders were the primary cause of the instability. Macron countered these claims, stating, “We’ve had people claiming that we were invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false.”
The remarks from the U.S. president come as his administration faces domestic pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, with voters expressing dissatisfaction over the economy and fuel prices. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson also utilized images of the French unrest to criticize political opponents, warning that the U.S. could face similar outcomes if Democrats gained control. Macron criticized such tactics, noting that leaders on the other side of the Atlantic were “using our country for their own political campaigns,” and added, “At times like these, you see who loves France and who doesn’t.”
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