Politics · France · 1 hr ago
Macron accuses Trump and Netanyahu of exploiting violence in France
Emmanuel Macron accused foreign leaders of exploiting violence in France for political gain.
He spoke in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, after violence over the weekend in France.
Macron did not name them, but his remarks pointed to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump had claimed that France was burning and blamed its migration policy, while Netanyahu said France had given in to an invasion of extremist Islam.
Macron said foreign information manipulation had fueled unacceptable comments, including from leaders who repeated claims or content involving artificial intelligence.
His remarks highlight how political claims about events in France have become part of a dispute involving foreign leaders; no next steps were stated.
Emmanuel Macron criticised foreign leaders for comments about violence in France, calling them “unacceptable and stupid.”
He appeared to take aim at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though he did not name them.
Macron said the leaders had been influenced by AI-generated videos showing scenes that never took place in France.
He rejected claims that France had been overrun by migrants and Islamists.
The violence erupted on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.
- Who
- French President Emmanuel Macron criticised comments by foreign leaders, apparently including Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Macron said their remarks about violence in France were unacceptable and stupid, and said AI-generated videos had influenced them.
- When
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Macron spoke to reporters in Doha, Qatar.
- Why
- Macron said the leaders were taking aim at France in the context of upcoming elections in their countries.
Emmanuel Macron
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
Claims about France
Emmanuel Macron
Macron said France had not been overrun by migrants and Islamists, and that AI-generated images showed scenes that never took place.
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
Trump linked what was happening in France to immigration; Netanyahu said France had been hit by an invasion of extremist Islam.
Political context
Emmanuel Macron
Macron said the leaders were taking aim at France in the context of elections and had repeated AI-generated material, sometimes credulously.
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
Trump and Netanyahu made public comments about the unrest; the sources do not state their response to Macron’s criticism.
Some of the worst urban violence to hit France in years erupted on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.
Macron addressed the nation; critics said the address lacked a clear path forward.
Netanyahu said France had been hit by an invasion of extremist Islam.
Macron criticised foreign leaders’ comments about the unrest while speaking to reporters in Doha.
- Speaker
- Emmanuel Macron
- Location of remarks
- Doha, Qatar
- Date of remarks
- October 21, 2026
- Unrest began
- October 17, 2026
- Protests focused on
- Rising cost of living
6 sources
Macron slams 'stupid' comments after Trump pins French riots on immigratio
Macron says world leaders have made 'stupid' comments on France riots based on fake AI videos
Macron takes veiled shot at Trump, Netanyahu over ‘stupid’ France riot remarks
Macron slams ‘stupid’ comments from world leaders influenced by AI videos of French riots
VIDEO. Emmanuel Macron dénonce "des dirigeants qui font campagne sur le dos de la France" en visant Trump et Nétanyahou
Macron slams 'stupid' comments about France riots by world leaders
What people are saying
There was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders
Some people have claimed that we’ve been overrun by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false
We saw images generated by AI which showed scenes that never took place in France.
being conquered, looted, and burned to the ground by migrants, jihadists, and Communists
Posts on X
.@POTUS: If you want to see what is at stake in this election, just look at what's happening in France — a once-great nation that is being conquered, looted, and burned to the ground by migrants, jihadists, and Communists who hate Christianity and Western civilization itself.
Que les dirigeants étrangers qui commentent ou exploitent les événements récents en France à des fins électorales ou pour nous nuire, sans rien y comprendre, fassent preuve du minimum élémentaire de retenue, de respect et de solidarité. C'est une question de dignité et c'est leur