Donald Trump blames French protests on immigration policies

United States President Donald Trump blamed immigration for unrest during widespread protests in France on October 18, 2026. France 24 and the Washington Examiner both reported that Trump urged French officials to secure their borders and tighten migration rules. Trump posted on Truth Social that France is burning, according to the Washington Examiner and The Jerusalem Post. [1][3][4]

French police have arrested approximately 1,800 people during the violent demonstrations, the Washington Examiner reported. The protests originally ignited in September when students took to the streets to protest against perceived deficiencies in the French school system. Fresh protests have flared up across French cities, according to reports from The Economist and The Jerusalem Post. [3][4][6]

Trump called on France to secure its borders against people with hatred in their hearts and claimed the nation was being shattered by immigration, according to the Washington Examiner and The Hindu. France 24 Washington bureau chief David Smith also reported on Trump's calls for stricter border rules following the civil unrest. [1][3][5]

Trump served as the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Academic and political debates have surrounded his political actions and rhetoric during his second term in office. [7]