Trump and Kremlin Allies Call French Protests a Sign of European Decadence

Protests erupted across France on October 17, marked by vandalism, with Donald Trump and Kremlin figures framing the unrest as evidence of European "decadence" caused by immigration. Trump claimed on Truth Social that "France is burning," attributing the violence solely to immigrants "animated by hatred" and urging France to "close your borders." Kremlin-aligned voices echoed this narrative, calling it a "clash of civilizations," while ignoring protesters' demands for school funding and concerns over middle-class purchasing power. Other observers interpret the demonstrations as a sign of the decline of Macronism, highlighting youth distress rather than a migration crisis. The riots, which continued into Sunday, have been seized upon by European far-right parties to reinforce anti-immigration platforms.