In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said France was “burning” and attributed the unrest to immigration from different parts of the world.
He argued that people arriving in France from vastly different backgrounds had contributed to the country’s problems and urged authorities to act without further delay.
Trump’s remarks came after violent demonstrations in Paris and other parts of France on Saturday, during which masked individuals reportedly engaged in vandalism, looting and arson. The unrest left one person dead, while police detained around 1,800 people, according to the report.
Several businesses were damaged, and historic landmarks and public buildings were reportedly targeted. A historic town hall was also set on fire, intensifying public concern over the damage to France’s cultural heritage.
The violence has added pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government, with the unrest raising questions about public order and the government’s response.
The report said the government had addressed student demands by agreeing to increase education funding and expand the number of teachers, although the motives and identities of those involved in the subsequent violence remained unclear.
Vance Also Links Unrest to Immigration
US Vice President JD Vance also commented on the situation, blaming what he described as Europe’s liberal immigration policies for contributing to the unrest.
In a post on X on Saturday, Vance argued that European political leaders had prioritised diversity and compassion while neglecting questions surrounding integration and social cohesion. He expressed hope that France would bring the violence under control before more historic monuments were damaged.
Vance’s comments echoed Trump’s calls for tighter immigration controls. The US administration has made curbing illegal immigration a central policy priority, including through enforcement measures and the removal of undocumented immigrants.
Trump’s comments were subsequently reposted by Russia’s state-funded broadcaster RT on X, further amplifying the debate over immigration and the unrest in France.
While Trump and Vance attributed the unrest to immigration, the available account did not establish the identities or backgrounds of those responsible for the destruction. It also noted that local residents had participated in the demonstrations, making the circumstances surrounding the violence more complex.
The unrest has inflicted losses on businesses and damaged sites of historical and cultural significance. Authorities face the challenge of restoring public order while determining who was responsible for the attacks and what motivated the violence.