Politics · United States · 13 hrs ago
Trump blames immigration for unrest in France and urges tighter borders
US President Donald Trump blamed immigration for unrest in France and called on the country to close its borders.
He made the comments on social media as protests in France turned violent.
The unrest damaged a historic town hall and led to 1,800 arrests, according to one account.
Another account describes demonstrations over education conditions and the cost of living, involving students and other groups.
Trump urged France to tighten migration rules, saying the country was being harmed by immigration.
Vice President JD Vance had made similar comments the day before.
The unrest adds pressure on President Emmanuel Macron six months before an election to choose his successor.
US President Donald Trump blamed immigration for unrest in France and urged the country to close its borders.
He wrote on Truth Social that immigration had shattered France and called for authorities to take control.
Demonstrations took place across France on October 17 amid protests over rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power, according to TASS.
Some protests turned into riots and clashes with police, and 1,800 people were detained, TASS reported.
The sources describe differing reasons for the protests, including cost-of-living concerns and demands for better education conditions.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump blamed immigration for the unrest in France.
- What
- Trump urged France to close its borders and take control of the situation.
- When
- Trump posted his comments on October 18, 2026; demonstrations took place the previous day.
- Where
- France; Trump made his comments on Truth Social.
- Why
- Trump linked the unrest to immigration. TASS said demonstrations were over rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power, while Bloomberg HT also reported demands for better education conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Demonstrations took place across France over rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power, according to TASS.
Some protests turned into riots and clashes with police; Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,800 people were detained.
Trump posted on Truth Social blaming immigration for France's unrest and urging the country to close its borders.
- Trump's office
- US president
- Trump's platform
- Truth Social
- Demonstration date
- October 17, 2026
- Detentions
- 1,800 people, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez
- Protest turnout
- Organizers said 800,000; the Interior Ministry counted 550,000
- France presidential succession vote
- Six months away, according to Detik
3 sources
What people are saying
France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close the borders and take control of the situation, before it's too late!
Western liberals are importing the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignore fundamental questions about assimilation and compatibility. They were warned this would end like this, but they did not listen.