France rejects Trump's claims that migration caused French riots

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 10:33 · Archive

Donald Trump blamed immigration for violent protests in France, but Emmanuel Macron called his comments 'unacceptable and stupid'.

France has experienced violent clashes, protests and looting since the weekend, with demonstrations over education reform and the economy spiralling out of control.

US President Donald Trump blamed immigration for the unrest, telling the media that French President Emmanuel Macron 'should have closed his borders a long time ago'. Trump claimed Paris would become 'a Muslim city very soon' and said on Truth Social that 'the immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country'. He made these comments while addressing American voters before the midterm elections.

Macron rejected Trump's analysis, calling his remarks 'unacceptable and stupid'. Speaking during a visit to Qatar, Macron said there was no evidence of foreign interference behind the riots and criticised those 'who campaign on our backs in some regions or on the other side of the Atlantic'. He noted that fabricated images had circulated online falsely depicting migrant invasions. Young French student protesters echoed Macron's dismissal. Seventeen-year-old Bilal Narjissi called Trump's intervention 'stupid talk', saying the focus should remain on students' demands.

How it is being reported

• Most French people AGREE with Trump that migration is to blame for far-left riots, poll finds after Macron slammed his 'stupid comments'The majority of French people agree with Donald Trump's comments about migration being to blame for the violent far-left riots ravaging France.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 12:41
• 'Unacceptable And Stupid': Macron Slaps Down Trump For Weighing In On French RiotsDonald Trump speaks Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in June. Donald Trump has been chastised by Emmanuel Macron after his “unacceptable and stupid” remarks on the recent French riots. The country has been rocked by violence and looting since the weekend when protests calling for education reform and action on the economy escalated out of control. Addressing American voters shortly before the midterm elections, the US president said “just look at France”, and blamed immigration for the thuggery. He claimed: “Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon.” Trump also posted on Truth Social on…HuffPost UK · 22 Oct, 10:15
• ‘Stupid talk’: France rejects Trump’s attempt to blame unrest on migrationThe US president has turned his attention to France, but his comments appear to have been dismissed by Macron.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 06:58

In this story: Donald Trump · Emmanuel Macron · France · Paris · United States · Benjamin Netanyahu

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