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Donald J. Trump is set to visit Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, marking his first trip abroad following the recent election. This visit suggests that world leaders are now looking towards the future after the Biden presidency.
Written by Maggie Haberman
Experienced political journalist
President-elect Donald J. Trump is scheduled to visit France this Saturday to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was heavily damaged by a fire five years ago. This trip will be his first international visit since winning the election last month, and it showcases how world leaders are moving forward from the Biden presidency.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump shared that he would be visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, describing it as an honor. He praised French President Emmanuel Macron for overseeing the restoration of the iconic building, noting that it has been brought back to its former glory and beyond.
He expressed that it would be a memorable day for everyone involved.
The plans for the trip have been in progress for a few days, as shared by sources familiar with the planning. One of the sources mentioned that Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron have had a phone call at least once.
It is anticipated that President Biden will not be present at the reopening event, but it has been reported that Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady, will be in attendance based on information from one of the individuals who was briefed.
Since winning a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, who had replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Trump has hardly been seen outside of Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The announcement of the trip was not unexpected. Mr. Trump enjoys elaborate events and the significance of historic construction sites. This trip also signifies his reemergence on the international scene.
This is the most recent development in a history of tense interactions with European partners, especially with Mr. Macron.
The French president, who is dealing with unrest within his own country due to opposition from both the far-right and far-left, spoke highly of Mr. Trump at the beginning of his presidency. Mr. Macron extended an invitation to Mr. Trump to join the Bastille Day celebration in Paris in 2017, and Mr. Trump accepted enthusiastically.
The relationship between Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump turned bad in 2018 when Mr. Macron supported the concept of a European military defense that could rival Russia, China, and the United States. This clashed with Mr. Trump’s nationalist views, especially as far-right populists who 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 pertaining to Mr. Macron.
Maggie Haberman is a seasoned political journalist covering the 2024 presidential race, other political contests nationwide, and the probes involving ex-President Donald J. Trump. Learn more about Maggie Haberman.
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