President-elect Donald Trump has arrived in Paris to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, making this his first international trip since his election victory. The ceremony marks the restoration of the iconic cathedral, five years after a devastating fire.
Trump landed in France on Saturday morning and is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, who invited him to the event, and Prince William before the formal celebrations. The Notre Dame restoration, costing $740 million, was made possible by donations from 150 countries and utilized historic carpentry techniques from the 13th century.
Security will be high for the event, which includes around 50 global leaders, according to Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez. While First Lady Jill Biden will attend, President Biden is notably absent. Macron’s relationship with Trump, often described as a mix of deference and strategic alliance, contrasts with some tensions between Trump and other NATO leaders during his first term.
In recent weeks, world leaders have adjusted their diplomatic approach toward Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago following tariff threats, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lauded their countries’ “special relationship” at a London event.
Trump’s visit also coincides with a challenging period for Macron, who is facing political instability after his prime minister was removed via a no-confidence vote.
