Former US President Donald Trump claimed that France is “burning down” due to its border policies, attributing widespread unrest in the country to immigration rather than cost-of-living and educational grievances.
Trump Links French Protests to US Border Security
Speaking at a campaign rally for Republican candidates in Perry, Georgia, Trump criticized French authorities for failing to control protests and drew parallels to US immigration policies.
”They have police in France, but they’re not allowed to do their job. So France is right now burning down because it opens its borders to people who hate it. These are people who hate it. They hate France. They hate the people of France,” Trump declared to the crowd.
Directly linking the situation in Europe to domestic US politics, Trump targeted Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, alleging that Democratic policies would allow “millions of third-world migrants” into the country.
Escalating Unrest and Police Action Across France
Trump’s comments coincide with escalating nationwide protests across France, where hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets over the rising cost of living, low wages, and underfunding in public education.
French government estimates placed nationwide turnout at approximately 410,000 protesters, while demonstration organizers claimed turnout neared 800,000. Severe confrontations broke out on Saturday evening in Paris and major regional hubs, including Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that around 100 protesters have been arrested as riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons to control crowds and clear blockades.
