Transition of power
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Donald J. Trump will be attending the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking his first foreign trip since the previous month’s election. This event signifies a shift in focus from the Biden presidency to global leaders moving forward.
Authored by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
After his election last month, President-elect Donald J. Trump will visit France on Saturday to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire five years ago. This will be his first trip abroad since becoming president-elect and signifies the rapid transition from the Biden presidency for global leaders.
Donald Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was excited to announce his upcoming visit to the renowned and historic Notre Dame building. He praised French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of Notre Dame to its former glory and beyond.
"It will be a day that is significant and memorable for everyone!" he expressed in writing.
The journey has been planned for a few days, as reported by individuals who were informed about the arrangements. One of the individuals mentioned that Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron have spoken on the phone at least once.
It is anticipated that President Biden will not be present at the reopening event, but Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady, will attend, as informed by a source.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over 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 was somewhat expected. Mr. Trump is known for his appreciation of pomp and grandeur, particularly when it comes to construction sites with historical significance. This trip also signifies his reemergence on the global platform.
However, this event is also the most recent development in a complicated relationship with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The French president, encountering internal unrest due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left, praised President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Macron extended an invitation to Trump to join France’s Bastille Day festivities in 2017, and Trump accepted enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump turned bad in 2018 when Mr. Macron supported the concept of a European military defense that could rival Russia, China, and the United States. This clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist views, especially as far-right populists, who supported Trump, were gaining power in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the F.B.I. conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago looking for classified documents that may have been hidden. During the search, federal agents seized information from the property that was connected to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a senior political correspondent who covers the 2024 presidential campaign, local elections nationwide, and the ongoing investigations involving former President Donald J. Trump. Find out more about Maggie Haberman.
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