Trump to France: "Close your borders before it's too late"

US President Donald Trump linked the violence during protests in France to migration policies and called on France to close its borders. Trump used harsh language in a post on his Truth Social account.

France is burning. The migration of people from a completely different world, who carry hatred in their hearts, has torn apart France, once a great country.

Donald Trump

Trump ended his message by urging France to "close its borders and take control before it is too late."

1,800 detained in the unrest

During demonstrations across France against the cost of living and education conditions, some groups looted shops, set vehicles on fire and damaged public buildings. Clashes took place in many cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. In Saturday's protests, the historic city hall in Limoges was set on fire and rendered unusable. Authorities announced that 1,800 people were detained.

The unrest is reported to be increasing political pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, whose term ends in six months. Macron is expected to address the nation. With elections to choose a new president approaching, the violence is high on the country's agenda.

Similar comment from Vance

Trump's statement followed a post by US Vice President JD Vance on X on Saturday. Vance criticized European countries' migration policies and said:

Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored basic questions about assimilation and compatibility. They were told this would lead to this, and they did not listen.

JD Vance

Trump is reported to have linked student protests in France to mass migration before as well, but did not offer concrete evidence supporting his view that the protests stem from immigrants.