“[On Truth Social:] The migrants have taken over France. They must CLOSE THE BORDERS, FAST!
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Trump and Vance Blame Migrants for France Riots
As Riots Burn the Limoges Town Hall and Close the Louvre, Trump Posts "France Is Burning!" and Says "Paris Is Going to Be a Muslim City Very Soon" — JD Vance Says "This Is the Future Congressional Democrats Seek for Your Country," and Speaker Mike Johnson Calls It "a Chilling Warning for All Americans"
October 19, 2026
What happened▸
Protests that began in France over crumbling schools and teacher shortages grew over the weekend of Oct. 17-18, 2026, into nationwide anti-government rioting over the cost of living and President Emmanuel Macron. The 140-year-old town hall in Limoges was largely destroyed by fire, the Louvre closed, and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez — who blamed "extremely violent, radical far-left groups" — offered his resignation. French officials have not cited immigration as a factor.
President Trump and Republican leaders nonetheless cast the unrest as the product of migration, three weeks before the U.S. midterms. On Oct. 18 Trump posted "France is burning!" and blamed "the immigration of people from an entirely different world"; Vice President JD Vance wrote that "Western liberals imported the third world into France" and warned Americans that "this is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country." On Oct. 19 Trump posted that "the migrants have taken over France" and told reporters at the White House that "Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon," a claim fact-checkers called false; asked about reports that Macron had linked the unrest to the Iran war, he called it "fake news." Speaker Mike Johnson said that if Democrats win the House "it will be open borders and criminal illegals overrunning our country."
See what your representatives said?
5 Statements
“[To reporters at the White House:] You know, the France thing. It's a very sad situation. … Because what's happening in France has to do with immigration. Not schools, not anything. It's immigration. … They let people into their country that don't love their country. … And, you know, as you know, Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon. … I told Emmanuel, you should close up your borders. … We closed our borders. His borders are a problem. … If Europe doesn't close its borders and bring the criminals out, like the people that are protesting, Europe is finished. [He said the protesters] hate the country, they hate the buildings, they hate the people, they hate the art.
“[On X:] France is descending into chaos because they wanted OPEN BORDERS — just like the socialist Democrats in America. What we are witnessing is a chilling warning for all Americans of what happens if the radical Marxist insurgent left [gets their way]. … If Democrats take back control, it will be open borders and criminal illegals overrunning our country.
“[On Truth Social, as rioting spread across France:] 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!
“[On X, sharing video of the Limoges town hall burning:] Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn't listen. … I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn. And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country.