Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over their remarks on the recent unrest in France, accusing foreign leaders of exploiting the situation for political gain and spreading misleading narratives about the violence.
Speaking to reporters in Doha, Qatar, on October 21, Macron criticised what he described as “unacceptable and even stupid comments” by foreign leaders following riots and clashes that erupted alongside demonstrations over the rising cost of living in France.
Although he initially refrained from naming the leaders directly, Macron confirmed he was referring to Trump, among others, when questioned by a reporter. He also criticised the circulation of artificial intelligence-generated images that allegedly depicted scenes that had not taken place in France.
Macron Accuses Foreign Leaders of Political Opportunism
Macron argued that some foreign leaders were using France’s domestic difficulties to advance their own political agendas ahead of elections.
“There are people who campaign at France’s expense,” Macron said, referring to leaders who were in campaign mode in the Middle East and across the Atlantic.
The French president said the unrest had been followed by what he described as foreign manipulation of information, resulting in misleading claims about the causes and nature of the protests.
He rejected suggestions that France had been overwhelmed by migrants and Islamist groups, arguing that such claims misrepresented the situation on the ground.
Macron also expressed frustration with international figures who, he said, had repeated AI-generated material or amplified narratives without adequately verifying their accuracy.
What Did Donald Trump Say About France?
Trump has used the unrest in France to highlight immigration as a political issue in the United States.
The US president claimed that France was facing widespread disorder involving migrants, jihadists and communists. He also urged Macron to tighten border controls, warning that the United States could face similar problems if immigration policies were not changed.
Trump’s comments came as Republicans prepared for the US midterm elections in November 2026. Macron suggested that some foreign leaders were using developments in France to reinforce political messages aimed at their own domestic audiences.
The French president’s response reflects a growing disagreement over how the protests should be interpreted and whether immigration should be considered a central cause of the violence.
Netanyahu Claims France Faces an Islamist Threat
Netanyahu also criticised the French government’s handling of the unrest, describing the situation as an “invasion of extremist Islam”.
The Israeli prime minister argued that French authorities had failed to prepare adequately for the disorder and urged the country to take a tougher approach towards extremism.
His comments drew a response from Macron, who rejected the broader claims portraying France as having been overrun by migrants and Islamists.
The disagreement has added an international dimension to France’s domestic crisis, bringing immigration, religious extremism, political rhetoric and misinformation into the debate.
AI-Generated Images Add to the Controversy
One of Macron’s central concerns was the circulation of AI-generated images and videos allegedly depicting events that had not occurred during the French unrest.
The French president warned that such material could distort public understanding of the demonstrations and encourage political leaders to repeat inaccurate claims.
Macron said he did not see clear evidence of foreign interference in the events that initially unfolded in France. However, he distinguished that from what he described as manipulation of information in the aftermath.
The distinction is significant: the president’s remarks focused on the spread of misleading narratives following the unrest rather than establishing that a foreign government had orchestrated the protests themselves. He did not publicly identify all the images or sources he was referring to.
France Prepares for Further Protests
The controversy comes as French authorities prepare for further demonstrations following widespread unrest in several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon.
The initial demonstrations were driven largely by concerns about the cost of living, public services and education. While many marches remained peaceful, clashes with police, looting and property damage overshadowed parts of the protests.
The government has acknowledged shortcomings in its response to the violence and promised stronger security arrangements ahead of further demonstrations planned for October 24.
Macron has warned that authorities will take measures to prevent fresh disorder, while maintaining that a nationwide state of emergency is not currently necessary. Localised curfews and restrictions have also been used in areas affected by violence.
A Wider Political Dispute
Macron’s remarks highlight the growing tension between France and foreign political leaders over immigration, national security and the interpretation of civil unrest.
For the French president, the immediate challenge is to restore public order and address the domestic grievances driving the protests while countering what he views as misleading international commentary.
For Trump and Netanyahu, the unrest has become part of a broader political discussion about immigration and extremism.
Whether the dispute leads to further diplomatic tensions remains to be seen. For now, Macron has made clear that he objects to foreign leaders using France’s internal crisis to advance political arguments without adequately establishing the facts.
As France prepares for further demonstrations, the government’s handling of public order and the circulation of unverified information are likely to remain central issues in the coming days.
