It’s been a rocky trip to France for Donald Trump. And if learned one this it’s Trump’s bromance with France’s President has fizzled. The Washington Post writes:
In the shadow of a grand war memorial here, French President Emmanuel Macron marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I by delivering a forceful rebuke against rising nationalism, calling it a “betrayal of patriotism” and warning against “old demons coming back to wreak chaos and death.”
His words during a solemn Armistice Day ceremony under overcast skies at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in the heart of the French capital were intended for a global audience. But they also represented a pointed rebuke to President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and others among the more than 60 world leaders in attendance.
Macron also wrote the following on Twitter (note, this has been translated from French):
Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By putting our own interests first, with no regard for others, we have the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the thing that keeps it alive: its moral values.
Old demons are rising again. New ideologies are manipulating religions, and they are threatening to repeat its tragedies. Let us know how to make peace and security, because we know what it costs.
As political leaders here today, we must reassert before our peoples our greatest responsibility, which is to pass on to our children.
Trump reaction as Macron calls nationalism “a betrayal of patriotism.” pic.twitter.com/1nuw6axme4
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) November 11, 2018
This trip has been anything but smooth for Trump. The first day he tweeted harsh criticism aimed at Macron. The second day he skipped a WW1 ceremony due to the rain. CBS also reports:
And Trump was not present as the other leaders arrived, walking side-by-side in a somber, rain-soaked line holding black umbrellas as bells finished tolling. They had arrived a few minutes late, missing the exact moment — 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 — that four years of fighting ended.
World leaders are walking shoulder to shoulder along the Champs Elysses but Trump arrived separately and isn’t participating in this. pic.twitter.com/kRQlrVKihV
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) November 11, 2018
Donald Trump is the only head of state not at Élysée Palace. He’s apparently going separately to Arc de Triomphe. He’s skipping the Forum for Peace headed by Angela Merkel later today. Yesterday the rain kept him from war memorial. What the hell is he doing in Paris? https://t.co/DiYKL6cvyQ
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) November 11, 2018
While Trump’s relationship with Macron is clearly on the decline, it looks like his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t miss a beat. There were handshakes, a pat on the back and even a thumbs up.
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1061646238599299073
Watch more above.