Transition of power
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President Trump is scheduled to visit Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This will be his first international trip following the recent election, indicating a shift towards recognizing the end of the Biden administration among world leaders.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
President-elect Donald J. Trump will be heading to France this Saturday to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire five years ago. This trip will be his first international visit since winning the election last month, and it signifies the swift transition of global leaders moving away from the Biden administration.
Donald Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral and expressed his gratitude towards French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of the iconic building to its former glory. Trump described the cathedral as "Magnificent and Historic" and stated it was an honor for him to announce his trip publicly.
He expressed that it would be a memorable day for everyone.
The trip has been planned for a few days, as reported by individuals familiar with the planning process. There has been at least one phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron, as mentioned 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 who was briefed on the matter.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced 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 somewhat expected. Mr. Trump has a fondness for elaborate ceremonies 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 internal unrest due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left, showed admiration towards President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. President Macron extended an invitation to President Trump to join in France’s Bastille Day festivities in 2017, and President Trump accepted enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump became strained in 2018 when Macron supported the idea of a European military defense that could act as a counterbalance to Russia, China, and the United States. This clashed with Trump’s nationalist views, especially as right-wing populists, who typically supported Trump, were gaining power in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago in search of confidential documents. During the search, federal agents seized information that was connected to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a seasoned political journalist covering the 2024 presidential race, local elections nationwide, and the inquiries into former President Donald J. Trump. To learn more about Maggie Haberman, please visit her profile.
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