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Donald J. Trump is set to visit Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, marking his first international trip since the recent election. This event indicates a shift in focus from the Biden administration as global leaders come together.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political reporter
The upcoming President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to visit France on Saturday to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was severely damaged by a fire five years ago. This will be his initial trip abroad since the recent election and signifies the rapid shift of global leaders away from the Biden administration.
Donald Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will be visiting the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in France. He expressed gratitude towards President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of the cathedral to its former glory.
He wrote that it would be a day that everyone would remember as unique and important.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the trip has been planned for several days. It has been confirmed that Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron have communicated at least once via phone.
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 confirmed by one of the individuals who received information about the event.
After winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who had 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 wasn’t unexpected, as Mr. Trump has a known affinity for elaborate ceremonies and impressive construction projects, 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 complicated relationship with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The President of France, amidst domestic unrest due to opposition from extreme political groups, praised President Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Macron extended an invitation to Trump to join in France’s Bastille Day festivities in 2017, and Trump accepted the offer enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump became strained in 2018 when Mr. Macron supported the concept of a European military defense that could rival not only Russia and China, but also the United States. This clashed with Mr. 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 looking for classified documents. During the search, federal agents seized information related to Mr. Macron from the property.
Maggie Haberman is a senior journalist covering the 2024 presidential campaign, various local elections, and the ongoing investigations involving former President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman’s work.
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