The French president welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with full presidential pomp on Saturday, capping off a day with an impromptu meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that was both grand and focused on pressing global issues.
Once and future US President Trump arrived at the Elysée Palace for a face-to-face meeting with Macron, he said that Macron’s meeting would soon be expanded to include Zelensky, and that the two would discuss a world that is “a little crazy.”
Trump’s visit to France is part of global celebrations marking the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris five years after a devastating fire, and comes as Macron and other European leaders try to win over Trump and convince him to continue supporting Ukraine Defending against the Ukrainian threat. Macron’s office said it would discuss the issue as well as wars in the Middle East.
When Trump arrived at the French presidential palace, Macron spared no effort to project a relatable image, posing with multiple handshakes interspersed with plenty of back slaps. Trump said it was a “tremendous honor” and spoke of their “great relationship.” Just like the French welcoming the sitting US president, a grand red carpet was rolled out.
Before they went inside, Trump said: “It does seem like the world is a little crazy right now. We’re going to talk about that.”
Trump spent about 90 minutes at the palace, meeting first with Macron and then with Zelensky for about 35 minutes. The three walked out together and stood in a row, with Macron standing in the middle. Trump waved to photographers, shook hands with Zelensky, exchanged pleasantries and left.
Macron was originally scheduled to meet with Zelensky, and the French presidential office said the three-way meeting was proposed by Macron and arranged shortly before Trump’s arrival. Trump has promised a quick end to the war in Ukraine but has not specified how, raising concerns in Kyiv about the terms of future negotiations.
Macron has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, and he has worked to cultivate it since the Republican’s defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris last month. But Macron’s office still downplayed the significance of the invitation and said other politicians who have not yet taken office have also been invited.
Macron’s office said Trump was invited as president-elect of a “friendly country,” adding, “This is by no means an exception, we have done this before.”
However, the red carpet treatment showed that Macron and other European leaders are eager to win over Trump and appease him even before he takes office.
Trump, who was accompanied in Paris by a small group of staff, including incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles, is known to be obsessed with pomp and circumstance. One of the first visits of his first term as president was to Paris, where Macron made him the guest of honor at a Bastille Day event. Trump later said he wanted to replicate the grand parade in the United States.
Democratic President Joe Biden is also invited but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said there was a scheduling conflict and said first lady Jill Biden would represent the United States.
Trump also plans to meet with Britain’s Prince William, who had planned to meet with Jill Biden alone, according to the British royal family.
In an effort to build trust with the incoming U.S. administration, Zelensky’s top aide Andrei Yermak met with key members of Trump’s team on a two-day visit earlier this week. A senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, called the meeting productive but declined to give details.
During Trump’s first term, relations between France and the United States started out warm but grew increasingly tense as time went on.
Macron was the guest of honor at Trump’s first state dinner, and Trump has visited France many times. But relations suffered after Macron criticized Trump for questioning the need for NATO and questioning the United States’ commitment to a mutual defense treaty.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump frequently mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the United States if France tried to impose taxes on American companies.
But Macron was one of the first global leaders to congratulate Trump after last month’s election.
When Trump accepted the invitation to Paris, he said Macron “did a great job making sure Notre Dame was restored to its full glory and more. This will be a very special day for everyone!” A fire in 2019 nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark.
According to the French National Police, more than 20 French government security personnel are working with the Secret Service to help ensure Trump’s safety. A French special police car provides anti-drone protection for Trump’s motorcade.
Security is tighter than usual at the U.S. Embassy and other locations around Paris amid the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, where dozens of international dignitaries are expected to visit.
Fire engulfed Notre Dame in 2019 while Trump was president, causing its spire to collapse and threatening to destroy one of the world’s greatest architectural gems, famous for its stunning stained glass.
He tweeted at the time that it was “horrible to see the fire at Notre Dame” and offered advice to the city.
“Perhaps it can be extinguished with flying water trucks, we must act quickly!” he wrote.
French officials seemed quick to respond, noting that “all means” were being used to extinguish the flames, “except water jets, which if used could cause the entire structure of the cathedral to collapse.”
Over the weekend, Trump announced his intention to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of son-in-law Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France. Predecessors in this prestigious role include Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
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