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Trump will be present at the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This will be his initial international trip following the election last month, indicating a shift in focus from the Biden administration for global leaders.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced reporter covering
The upcoming President Donald J. Trump will be visiting France this Saturday to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire five years ago. This will be his first trip abroad since the recent election, 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 gratitude for the restoration work done by French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump described the iconic building as "Magnificent and Historic" and praised Macron for ensuring that Notre Dame was fully restored to its former glory.
He expressed that it would be an exceptional day for everyone.
Preparations for the trip have been ongoing for a few days, as informed by sources familiar with the planning process. One of the sources mentioned that there has been at least one phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron.
It is anticipated that President Biden will not be present at the reopening event, but Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady, will be in attendance as per information given to one of the individuals informed about the situation.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took President Biden’s place on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has mostly stayed at Mar-a-Lago, his private residence and club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip was somewhat expected. Mr. Trump enjoys elaborate events and the significance of construction sites, particularly historic ones. This trip also signifies his re-entry onto the global platform.
However, this situation also represents the most recent development in a tense relationship with European allies, especially with Mr. Macron.
The President of France, who is dealing with internal unrest due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left groups, praised President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Macron extended an invitation to Trump to join the Bastille Day festivities in Paris in 2017, and Trump accepted the invitation enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump turned bad in 2018 when Mr. Macron supported the concept of a European military defense to protect against Russia, China, and the United States. This clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist views, especially as far-right populist leaders, who were supportive of Trump, were gaining power in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago for classified documents that may have been hidden there. During the search, federal agents seized information related to Mr. Macron from the property.
Maggie Haberman is a journalist who covers the 2024 presidential campaign, other political races, and investigations involving former President Donald J. Trump. She is a senior political correspondent with a focus on these topics.
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