Trump opens door to backing Marine Le Pen in next French presidential election
The US president says the French leader was “treated very badly” and calls her “the conservative voice”
Donald Trump has opened the door to backing Marine Le Pen in France’s next presidential election. The US president said that although he does not know the French politician personally, he believes she was “treated very badly”.
“I don’t know her. I’ve never met her, but I thought she was treated very badly. To me, it seemed like weaponisation, what they did”, Trump said.
He added that Le Pen “was leading” and that, after what happened, she is “definitely the conservative voice”. His remarks point to possible political support, although he has not formally announced an endorsement for France’s next presidential race.
Trump links French protests to immigration policy
Trump linked the protests in France to the country’s immigration policy and cited them at a rally in Kansas. He said he had warned Emmanuel Macron that closing the borders was necessary, and argued that France showed what could happen in the United States if Republicans lost the midterm elections.
Macron has responded to foreign leaders’ comments on the unrest. Without initially naming Trump, he said France already had enough difficulties and did not need other leaders using the country’s problems in their campaigns.
He also condemned the circulation of AI-generated images which, he said, depicted scenes that had not taken place in France.
Relations between Trump and Macron have involved both direct contact and political disagreements. They met in June at the G7 summit in France, and Macron hosted the US president at the Palace of Versailles. Their differences include their positions on Ukraine, Iran, tariffs and NATO defence spending.
Protests began over schools and the cost of living
The protests in France began with demands over teacher shortages, deteriorating school facilities and the rising cost of living.
Demonstrators have also raised concerns about higher fuel prices and falling purchasing power. On 17 October, between 550,000 and 800,000 people took part, according to the available figures. Most demonstrations were peaceful, but several cities saw looting, fires and clashes with police.
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