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Donald J. Trump will be attending the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking his first international visit since the recent election. This event signifies a shift in global leadership away from the Biden administration.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced reporter who
After being elected as President, Donald J. Trump will visit France this Saturday to attend the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was destroyed by a fire five years ago. This trip marks his first visit to a foreign country since winning the election last month and showcases how world leaders are already moving 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, expressing his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of the historic building to its former glory. Trump described the cathedral as "Magnificent and Historic" and stated that he was honored to announce his upcoming trip.
He expressed that it would be a day that is significant and memorable for everyone involved.
The journey has been planned for several days, as reported by individuals who were informed about the arrangements. There has been at least one phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron, as per 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 given to one of the individuals briefed.
Since winning a second term by beating Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over for President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has stayed mostly at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip was somewhat expected. Mr. Trump enjoys the pomp and circumstance associated with construction sites, particularly those with historical significance. This trip also signifies his reemergence on the global 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 criticism from both the far-right and far-left, praised President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Macron extended an invitation to Trump to join France’s Bastille Day festivities in Paris in 2017, which Trump accepted enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump turned negative in 2018 when Mr. Macron supported the concept of a European military defense that could be independent of the United States and could also serve as a counterbalance to Russia and China. This stance clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist beliefs, especially as far-right populist movements, often aligned with Trump, were gaining traction in France and other parts of Europe.
In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago looking for classified documents. Among the seized information were details related to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a seasoned journalist covering the 2024 presidential election, local political races, and the ongoing investigations involving ex-President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman’s work here.
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