Paris/IBNS-CMEDIA: French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised foreign leaders, including those “on the other side of the Atlantic”, for allegedly exploiting the volatile situation in France for political gains, media reports said.
Macron rejected remarks by several foreign leaders, accusing them of “manipulation of information” to draw political benefits from the arson and looting reported in Paris last weekend.
He described the comments as “unacceptable” and “stupid”.
When a reporter asked whether he was referring to US President Donald Trump, Macron replied, “Among others.”
Macron dismisses claims of migrant invasion
The French President also dismissed claims that Paris had been invaded by migrants and Islamists, attributing such narratives to “AI-generated images”.
Trump, meanwhile, linked the unrest in France to immigration, rejecting suggestions that domestic issues such as rising living costs could be responsible.
“Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon, and that wasn’t the deal,” Trump had said, criticising Macron for allowing large numbers of immigrants into France.
“I told Emmanuel you should close up your borders,” he said, adding that he had warned the French leader about immigration years ago.
Trump cites unrest to push for stricter immigration controls
Trump’s remarks came amid demonstrations and violent unrest in France, including reports of looting, arson and clashes with police.
He has used the situation to reinforce his long-standing argument for stricter immigration controls, portraying France as a warning of the consequences of what he considers permissive border policies.
However, Trump’s prediction about Paris becoming a Muslim city is a political assertion, not an established demographic projection.
France does not collect official census data on religious affiliation, making precise assessments of the Muslim population difficult.
His comments also do not, in themselves, establish immigration as the cause of the unrest.
