Macron criticizes foreign leaders for exploiting France riots
World · 21 October 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
French President Emmanuel Macron criticised US President Donald Trump and other foreign leaders on October 21 for spreading false information about riots in France.
Protests over living costs and education began in September 2026 and turned violent on October 17. More than 2,000 people were arrested over that weekend. Authorities introduced nighttime curfews in some areas.
Trump blamed Muslim migrants for the unrest without any evidence and told Macron to close France's borders. Vice President JD Vance also connected the violence to immigration. Macron rejected these claims as untrue. He said foreign actors had not caused the riots but had distorted the facts afterwards.