Reactions to Donald Trump’s presidential victory in the U.S. revealed a divided response among French political figures. Marine Le Pen offered her wishes for success without direct support, while Jordan Bardella emphasized a reevaluation of power dynamics. Supporters like Eric Ciotti and Eric Zemmour celebrated the victory, framing it as a stand against progressive ideologies, while others, including Valérie Pécresse and socialist leaders, called for European unity and autonomy in light of shifting political tides.
Reactions to Trump’s Presidential Victory
Marine Le Pen took to X to express her views on the recent presidential election in the United States, stating, “The American democracy has clearly expressed itself, and the Americans have freely chosen the president they wanted.” Unlike her previous campaigns in 2016 and 2020, Le Pen refrained from actively supporting Donald Trump this time, opting instead to extend her “wishes for success” to the newly elected president. In contrast, Jordan Bardella congratulated Trump, emphasizing the need to “rethink our relationship with power and strategic autonomy.” He urged, “Since Donald Trump invites us to defend ourselves, let’s take him at his word.”
Divided Responses from French Political Figures
Eric Ciotti, a notable Trump supporter in Parliament, expressed his enthusiasm on X, calling it “a magnificent victory for the American people against a system.” He views this moment as a potential stepping stone for the right in France and Europe. Similarly, Eric Zemmour, founder of Reconquête!, celebrated the American choice as a stand for “civilization against wokism, degrowth, and identity deconstruction.” Conversely, voices from the broader political spectrum, particularly among those not aligned with Trump, highlighted the necessity for a more robust and autonomous Europe. Valérie Pécresse from LR remarked, “We must prepare to arm ourselves economically and militarily to face the challenges that now await a Europe that can no longer automatically rely on the United States.”
Macron supporters also chimed in, with Vice President of the Assembly Roland Lescure urging for a united Europe to collectively respond to the changing political landscape. The call for unity was echoed by socialists, with PS First Secretary Olivier Faure stressing, “The moment is not for tears. It is for reaction,” asserting that the EU is not merely an extension of the United States. Socialist MEP Raphaël Glucksmann characterized Trump’s election as “one of those turning points that shape history,” highlighting Europe’s newfound responsibility to navigate its own destiny.
While some on the left, like LFI’s Manuel Bompard, attributed Kamala Harris’s defeat to a lack of a compelling leftist agenda, the overall sentiment of disillusionment remains palpable. Marine Tondelier of the ecologists expressed solidarity, stating, “Courage to American women and men.” She lamented the erosion of democratic values, attributing part of the blame to the role Trump has played in this landscape. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo echoed these concerns, emphasizing that this election will be a significant moment in history, marked by challenges that lie ahead.