Trump comments on French violence and immigration

Donald Trump has linked recent violence in France to immigration, while also describing Marine Le Pen as the "conservative voice" of the country, according to a report by AFP. He made these remarks during an interview in the Oval Office, where he also discussed Le Pen's legal situation.

Le Pen's reduced sentence and Trump's view

During the interview, Trump stated that Le Pen, who was condemned in March 2025 to five years of ineligibility for misusing public funds, had her sentence reduced to 15 months, already served, allowing her to run in the 2027 presidential election. Trump mentioned he had not met Le Pen but suggested she had been treated unfairly, adding that this might indicate instrumentalization.

French riots and Trump's rhetoric

As the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 approach, Trump has made multiple statements about the riots and looting in France, which he attributes to immigration. During a rally in Kansas, he described the country as "besieged, looted and set on fire by migrants, jihadists, and communists." These statements come at a time when the Republican Party is weakened by the cost of living and the price of gasoline in the United States.

Trump's call for stricter migration policies

Trump, who has launched large-scale deportation operations since his return to the White House, had also called on France to toughen its migration policy. On Monday, he wrote on Truth Social, "Migrants have conquered France. They must CLOSE THE BORDERS, AND SOON." These statements are part of his campaign against immigration, just weeks before a decisive vote for the Republicans.