Trump travels to Paris for Notre Dame Cathedral's reopening celebration, to meet Emmanuel Macron
The Hindu
President-elect Trump joins world leaders in Paris for Notre Dame Cathedral celebration, despite strained relations with Macron.
Donald Trump is off on his first International trip as President-elect, ready to join World leaders and dignitaries in Paris for a Saturday (December 7, 2024) celebration of the renovation of Notre Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019.
Mr. Trump wrote when he accepted the invitation earlier this week that French President Emmanuel Macron had done "a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!” Mr. Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Mr. Trump, has made a point of cultivating a relationship with the President-elect since he defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris last month (November, 2024). But his office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying that other Politicians who do not currently hold office had been invited as well.
Mr. Trump was invited as President-elect of a “friendly Nation,” Mr. Macron's office said, adding, “This is in no way exceptional, we've done it before." President Joe Biden was invited as well but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict and said the United States would instead be represented by first lady Jill Biden.
Mr. Trump and the United States first lady last encountered one another shortly after the election, when he visited the White House for the traditional meeting between outgoing and incoming Presidents.
Mr. Trump's visit to France comes as Mr. Macron and other European Leaders are trying to cultivate the President-elect's favour and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia's three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Mr. Macron will be meeting with Mr. Trump and then separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the French President's office said.
Relations between France and the United States during Mr. Trump's first term began warmly enough but grew increasingly strained over time.
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