Transition of power
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Donald J. Trump will be visiting Paris to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This trip marks Trump’s first visit abroad since the recent election and suggests that international leaders are starting to move past the Biden administration.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
President-elect Donald J. Trump is set to visit France this Saturday to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was devastated by a fire five years ago. This trip marks his first international visit since winning the election last month, and reflects the swift transition of global leaders moving on from the Biden administration.
Donald Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will be visiting the iconic Notre Dame building. He expressed gratitude to President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of Notre Dame to its former glory.
He expressed that it would be a day that holds significance for everyone.
The upcoming trip has been planned for a few days, as reported by individuals familiar with the arrangements. One of the sources mentioned that Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron have had a phone discussion at least once.
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 provided by one of the individuals briefed on the matter.
Since his reelection victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, who had replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has been staying mostly at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip was somewhat expected. Mr. Trump has a fondness for formal events and impressive construction sites, particularly those with historical significance. This trip also signifies his reemergence onto the international platform.
However, it is also the most recent development in a tense relationship with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The leader of France, who is dealing with unrest within the country due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left, praised President Trump at the beginning of Trump’s presidency. Macron invited Trump to the Bastille Day celebration in Paris in 2017, and Trump enthusiastically accepted the invitation.
The friendship between Macron and Trump turned sour in 2018 when Macron supported the concept of a European military defense that could stand up to Russia, China, and the United States. Macron’s stance clashed with Trump’s nationalist views, especially as right-wing populists, who tended to support Trump, were gaining popularity in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago looking for hidden classified documents, some of which were related to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a seasoned journalist who covers the 2024 presidential campaign, local elections nationwide, and the probes into ex-President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman.
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