Macron denounces ‘unacceptable and stupid' comments after Trump links Oct. 17 unrest to immigration

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned “unacceptable and stupid comments” by foreign leaders about the Oct. 17 protests in France, after US President Donald Trump blamed the unrest on immigration.

Speaking to reporters in Doha, Macron accused foreign leaders facing elections of exploiting the unrest for political gain.

“When I see leaders campaigning in the region or on the other side of the Atlantic … they are campaigning at our expense,” he said, without naming Trump.

His remarks followed Trump’s assertion Tuesday that immigration, rather than education grievances, was behind the unrest.

“It’s not about education. It’s about immigration,” Trump said.

The demonstrations began as a student movement demanding better school funding before unions and other groups joined to protest high costs of living.

France will take all lawful measures to prevent unrest during further protests planned for Saturday, Oct. 24, Macron said, citing curfews and restrictions on gatherings already introduced after the violence.

“Those who want to cause disorder in city centers next Saturday will be prevented from doing so,” he said.

He added that a state of emergency was currently unnecessary, arguing that existing laws provided sufficient powers, while leaving the option open if circumstances warranted it.

Macron also denounced “foreign manipulation of information” following the unrest, saying artificial intelligence had been used to fabricate images.

“We have seen AI-generated images showing scenes that never happened in France,” he said.

“Some people have claimed that we were invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false.”

Necva Taştan Sevinç