As the Russia scandal looms over the White House, Trump heads to Paris for a meeting with Macron
President Trump touched down in Paris Thursday morning, where he is expected to meet this afternoon with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss ways to improve relations between the United States and France. Officials say the two men, both newly elected presidents in their respective countries, will discuss global security and counterterrorism issues, along with the Syrian civil war.
But the conversations could be tense. During the French election, Trump effectively backed Macron's opponent, Marine Le Pen. And Macron has been a vocal critic of Trump's decision to pull America out of the Paris climate agreement. Their first meeting, CNN notes, "was marked by aggressive body language: Macron gripping Trump's hand for an extended shake, their eyes locking as cameras clicked away." But Reuters reports that one French official says Macron wants to "bring Trump back into the circle so that the United States, which remains the world's number one power, is not excluded."
The visit comes at a difficult time for Trump; his son, Donald Trump Jr., is facing scrutiny for agreeing to meet with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer back in 2016, after being promised dirt on Trump's then-presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. The scandal has brought new attention to the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After the meeting, the two will have dinner with their wives on the second story of the iconic Eiffel Tower. On Friday, Trump will be a guest of honor at a Bastille Day celebration.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published