Protests have erupted across France over rising prices and poor conditions in schools, with some demonstrations turning violent.
Speaking at a campaign event, US President Donald Trump claimed France was “becoming a Muslim country” and said the nation should close its borders and stop foreigners from “flooding” in.
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticised Trump’s remarks, saying certain foreign leaders were seeking to exploit France’s internal problems and tense situation by pushing false information to intensify the crisis.
Macron said such statements were driven by political motives such as elections in other countries. He added that Muslims were not present in France in the numbers being claimed, and that immigration had no connection to the current unrest.
He also warned that misleading content was being circulated on social media, including fake images and information generated using artificial intelligence, and said France was being forced to respond to what he called unacceptable rhetoric.
