 "French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at the Elysee Palace, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris. AP")
US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday hailed the country’s ties with France as he attended the grand reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral.
In his first international after the US elections, Trump highlighted US and France’s “great relationship.”
“It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that,” the president-elect said as he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Macron said it was a “great honour for the French people” to welcome Trump back to Paris for the re-opening of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, which was devastated by a fire in 2019 during Trump’s first term in office.
Over 20 French government security agents have been assisting the Secret Service in ensuring Trump’s safety, according to the French national police. Additionally, a specialized French police van has been deployed to provide anti-drone protection for Trump’s convoy.
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of cultivating a relationship since the Republican defeated Democrat Kamala Harris last month. But Macron’s office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying other politicians not now in office had been invited as well.
Trump was invited as president-elect of a “friendly nation,” Macron’s office said, adding, “This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before."
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was also invited but will not be attending. According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, a scheduling conflict prevents his participation, and First Lady Jill Biden will attend on behalf of the United States.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWith inputs from agencies