Transition of power
Prom
Donald J. Trump is planning to visit Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This will be his first trip abroad since the recent election, indicating a shift in focus from the Biden administration among international leaders.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
Donald J. Trump, who has been elected as the President, is planning to visit France on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire five years ago. This will be his first trip to a foreign country since the recent election, and it signifies the shift in global leadership away from the Biden presidency.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump shared his excitement about visiting the "Magnificent and Historic" Notre Dame building. He praised President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of Notre Dame to its former glory.
"It will be a day that holds significance for everyone," he penned.
The upcoming trip has been planned for a few days, as told by individuals who were briefed about the arrangements. There has been at least one phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron, as per one of the sources.
It is anticipated that President Biden will not be present at the reopening event, however, Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady, is expected to attend, as per information from a source familiar with the situation.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over for President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has mostly stayed at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip wasn’t unexpected. Mr. Trump enjoys the pomp and splendor of construction sites, especially those with historical significance. This trip also signifies his re-entry onto the global platform.
However, this situation is also the most recent development in a strained relationship with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The President of France, who is dealing with internal unrest due to opposition from extreme political groups, praised President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Macron invited Trump to the Bastille Day celebration in Paris in 2017, and Trump accepted the invitation enthusiastically.
The friendship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump turned sour in 2018 when Mr. Macron expressed support for a European military defense that could stand up to Russia, China, and even the United States. This clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist views, especially as far-right populists supporting Trump were gaining popularity in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago for confidential documents. During the search, federal agents seized information that was connected to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a senior journalist covering the 2024 presidential campaign, local elections nationwide, and the inquiries into ex-President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman.
Prom
Index page
Navigation to access information on the site