Transition of power
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Donald J. Trump will be attending the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking his first international trip since the recent election. This event indicates a shift in focus from the presidency of Joe Biden for global leaders.
Authored by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
The upcoming President 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 will be his first international visit since winning the election last month, highlighting the swift transition away from the Biden administration by world leaders.
Donald Trump revealed his upcoming visit to Notre Dame on his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. He praised French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of the iconic cathedral to its former glory.
"It will be a day that holds significance for everyone," he penned.
The trip has been planned for a few days, as reported by individuals familiar with the arrangements. There has been a phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron, as confirmed by one of the sources.
It is anticipated that President Biden will not be present at the reopening event, but Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady, is expected to attend based on information from a source.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over from President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has been spending most of his time at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip was not unexpected. Mr. Trump enjoys the pomp and grandeur associated with construction sites, particularly ones with historical significance. This trip also signifies his reentry into international affairs.
However, it also represents the most recent development in a tense relationship with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The French president, who is dealing with political unrest at home due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left, praised President Trump at the beginning of Trump’s presidency. Macron extended an invitation for Trump to join in France’s Bastille Day festivities in Paris in 2017, which 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 independent from the United States. This clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist views, especially as right-wing populists, who supported Trump, were gaining power in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago looking for classified documents. During the search, federal agents seized information that was connected to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a seasoned journalist covering the 2024 presidential election, local races nationwide, and the probes into ex-President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman’s work.
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