On 18 October 2026, US President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the widespread unrest in France, stating that the country was in crisis because of its immigration policy. On his social media platform, Truth Social, the US leader wrote that France was «burning», and that the mass influx of people from other cultures had allegedly destroyed what was once a great nation. Trump called on the French authorities to immediately close the borders and regain control of the situation. His statement came in the wake of the protests on 17 October, which were accompanied by arson, shop looting and clashes with the police. According to the latest figures, at least 1,800 people have been arrested in France.
- On 18 October, Donald Trump commented on the widespread unrest in France.
- The US President blamed the crisis on immigration policy and called for the borders to be closed.
- Following the protests on 17 October, the French police arrested at least 1,800 people.
- More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and rescue workers were injured.
What Donald Trump said about the unrest in France
On 18 October, the US President posted a message on Truth Social in which he blamed the riots on immigration.
«France is burning! Immigration of people from a completely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has destroyed this once-great country. Close the borders and get the situation under control before it’s too late!» wrote Donald Trump.
These remarks followed on from the US President’s earlier criticism of European countries’ migration policies. As far back as 6 October, he had linked student protests in France with mass immigration and Islam, although the demonstrators’ demands mainly concerned education.
The new statement came in the wake of one of the largest waves of unrest in France in recent years. At the same time, Mr Trump’s assertion that immigrants are to blame is his political assessment, rather than an established cause of the violence.
France has been rocked by riots: over 1,800 people have been arrested
On 17 October, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in French cities to protest against the rising cost of living, cuts to public spending and deteriorating conditions in educational institutions.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, around 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations. The organisers claimed there were 800,000 participants.
Although the majority of the protests were peaceful, in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and other cities, isolated groups staged large-scale riots. Those involved in the riots set cars alight, smashed shop windows, attacked law enforcement officers and damaged government buildings. In the city Limousine The historic town hall building, which is over 140 years old, was seriously damaged in an arson attack.
As of 18 October, the police had arrested at least 1,800 people. According to the French authorities, more than 500 law enforcement officers and emergency service personnel were injured.
It has also been reported that one of the demonstrators in Paris has died following a cardiac arrest. The police are investigating the circumstances.
Has immigration really been the cause of the unrest?
Despite Donald Trump’s statement, the French law enforcement authorities have found no link between mass immigration and the organisation of the riots.
French Minister of the Interior Laurent Núñez attributed some of the acts of violence to radical far-left groups and individuals who had taken advantage of the protests to carry out looting.
The protest movement was driven by socio-economic demands. The demonstrations began back in September due to a shortage of teachers and poor learning conditions, and were later joined by trade unions and those opposed to the rising cost of living.
Macron calls an emergency meeting following the riots
Against a backdrop of widespread destruction, the President of France Emmanuel Macron He has scheduled an emergency meeting with representatives of the government and the security services. He is also due to address the nation on the evening of 18 October.
The French authorities have already begun assessing the damage. According to preliminary reports, hundreds of shops were affected during the riots, and the financial losses could run into tens of millions of euros.
Mass protests are taking place in the run-up to the 2027 French presidential election, exacerbating political tensions in the country.
