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Donald J. Trump will be visiting Paris to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This will be his first international trip since the election last month, indicating a shift in focus away from the Biden administration for global leaders.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political reporter
Donald J. Trump, who has won the election to become the next President, will be visiting France on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This trip marks his first visit to a foreign country since the election, and it shows that world leaders are ready to move on from the Biden presidency.
Donald Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will be visiting the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, praising French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing its restoration. Trump expressed his excitement at the opportunity to see the building, which he described as "Magnificent and Historic."
He wrote that it would be a day that was significant for everyone.
Preparations for the trip have been ongoing for a few days, as reported by individuals familiar with the planning. It has been confirmed that Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron have spoken on the phone at least once, as per one of the sources.
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 reported by a source who was briefed on the matter.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over for 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 about the trip was somewhat expected. Mr. Trump has a fondness for elaborate ceremonies and grand construction projects, particularly those with historical significance. This trip also signifies his reentry onto the global platform.
However, it also represents the most recent development in a strained relationship with European partners, and especially with Mr. Macron.
The President of France, dealing with unrest within his own country due to criticism from extreme political groups, praised President Trump at the beginning of Trump’s presidency. Macron asked Trump to join in the Bastille Day festivities in Paris in 2017, and Trump accepted the invitation with enthusiasm.
The relationship between Macron and Trump became strained in 2018 when Macron expressed support for a European military defense independent of the United States, aimed at countering Russia and China. This clashed with Trump’s nationalist beliefs, especially as right-wing populists aligned with 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 confidential documents. Some of the information taken by federal agents from the property was related to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is an experienced journalist who covers the 2024 presidential campaign, local elections, and the inquiries into ex-President Donald J. Trump. She is a senior political correspondent with a focus on these topics.
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