Macron Accuses Foreign Leaders, Including Trump, of Exploiting French Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday accused foreign leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, of attempting to exploit France's tense social climate for their own political agendas. Macron's remarks came in response to widespread rioting and looting that followed protests over soaring living costs, and after Trump used the violence to rally his political supporters with unsubstantiated claims that Muslim migrants were responsible.

Trump had urged Macron to "close your borders and take control before it is too late!" Macron responded by stating that there had been "foreign manipulation of information" following the unrest. He described comments made by various individuals, including foreign leaders, as "unacceptable as they are stupid."

When asked if he was referring to Trump, Macron replied, "Among others." He further elaborated that AI-generated images depicting events that did not occur in France were being circulated, along with claims that the country was being invaded by migrants and Islamists, which he deemed entirely false. Macron did not specify which AI-generated images he was referencing or how he determined their falsity.

Macron, speaking in Qatar during a tour of energy suppliers, indicated that leaders making such claims were using France for their own political campaigns, particularly those in the midst of election cycles. "And we don’t need that," he stated.

Macron's trip to the Middle East aimed to secure energy supplies amidst a global crisis and rising prices. He announced agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia for increased diesel and jet fuel supplies, potentially adding over 295,000 additional tonnes of diesel per month to France's consumption.