Trump Weighs In on French Unrest, Urges Border Closure

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday urged France to close its borders in response to recent unrest, attributing the violence to immigration.

"The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country," Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social. "Close your borders and take control, before it is too late!"

His comments come as France grapples with the aftermath of nationwide demonstrations that escalated into violent clashes, shattered storefronts, and burned cars. Paris awoke on Sunday to scenes of destruction, with police reporting 1,800 arrests across the country, including 855 in the Paris region. The unrest, sparked by rising living costs and concerns over school conditions, saw masked groups confront police and engage in looting and arson in several cities.

The destruction extended beyond the capital. In Limoges, the historic town hall, dating back to 1883, was largely consumed by fire, with the roof collapsing onto lower floors. Local officials described the event as a "catastrophe for heritage."

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously called for "calm and respect" ahead of the demonstrations, emphasizing that the right to protest should not infringe upon the safety of people or property. Reports emerged, however, that Macron and his wife attended a Celine Dion concert in Nanterre, west of Paris, on Saturday evening while the protests were ongoing. The couple reportedly arrived and departed discreetly among approximately 35,000 attendees at the Plenitude Arena, following Macron's participation in a European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.