United States President Donald Trump has urged French President Emmanuel Macron to take urgent action on immigration, claiming that migration has contributed to unrest in France.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, October 18, 2026, calling on the French government to close its borders and regain control of the situation.
“France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” Trump wrote.
The statement came as France faced widespread unrest following demonstrations over the cost of living and concerns about public services and school conditions. Violence during the protests included clashes with police, looting and fires at public buildings and businesses.
Trump Blames Immigration for French Unrest
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In his post, Trump linked the violence to immigration, arguing that France had been damaged by the arrival of people from different cultural backgrounds.
His comments reflect his longstanding hardline position on immigration, an issue that has featured prominently in his domestic and international political agenda.
However, his post did not provide evidence that immigration was responsible for the unrest. Reports on the demonstrations identified several grievances, including rising living costs and dissatisfaction with public services, while French officials also pointed to violent groups and people involved in looting.
The distinction is significant because the protests involved large numbers of demonstrators, and the violence committed by some participants does not establish that immigrants as a group were responsible.
France Hit by Protests, Looting and Fires
The unrest escalated on Saturday, October 17, with reports of clashes between police and masked groups, damaged businesses and attacks on public buildings in several French cities.
One of the most striking incidents occurred in Limoges, where a fire engulfed the historic city hall and caused significant damage to the building.
French authorities reported at least 1,800 arrests following the violence, according to an Associated Press report published on Sunday. The demonstrations attracted hundreds of thousands of people, although the protests included both peaceful participants and groups involved in criminal acts.
The scale of the damage placed additional pressure on the French government to restore order while responding to public concerns that had helped fuel the demonstrations.
Macron Faces Pressure to Respond
French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to hold emergency talks with senior officials before addressing the nation on Sunday evening.
The government faced the challenge of condemning violence and protecting public safety while also addressing the grievances of people who had taken part in demonstrations over economic pressures and public services.
Trump’s comments added an international political dimension to the crisis, with the American president using the unrest to argue for stricter immigration controls.
It remained unclear whether his remarks would prompt any change in France’s immigration policy. Decisions on border controls and domestic security remain matters for the French government and its institutions.
Trump’s Immigration Position Remains Central to His Politics
Trump has repeatedly argued that stricter border enforcement is necessary to protect national security and preserve social stability. His latest comments on France are consistent with that position.
The French unrest, however, has involved several overlapping issues, and the available reporting does not establish immigration as the sole or direct cause of the violence.
As French authorities work to respond to the damage and restore calm, the debate is likely to continue over the relationship between immigration, economic pressure, public services and social cohesion.
For now, Trump has made his position clear: he wants Macron’s government to tighten border controls and take what he describes as urgent action before the situation deteriorates further.
