On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech to 80 world leaders, including President Donald Trump. World leaders gathered in Paris, France for a ceremony to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the end of World War I.
Macron made a passionate comment about nationalism, saying:
“Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying, ‘Our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace and what is essential: its moral values."
Now, Macron doesn’t mention Trump or the United States explicitly. It’s also worth noting that Macron’s comments on nationalism could be aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also attended the ceremony, albeit arriving late.
But given Trump’s recent penchant for nationalism, and apparently fizzling bond between the two leaders, Macron’s jab certainly evokes Trump’s image. Trump has yet to verbally acknowledge Macron’s comment on nationalism (and neither has he taken to Twitter), but he did appear to grimace after Macron spoke.
On social media, Trump called the ceremony “beautiful” and thanked the French President:
Think there’s a chance Trump has already forgotten his declaration that he’s a nationalist? That perhaps it was so long ago, his views have changed? Alas, at a campaign rally held in Houston, Texas, on October 22, Trump declared:
“A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well, frankly not caring about our country so much, and you know what, we can't have that. I'm a nationalist. Ok? I'm a nationalist. Nationalist. Use that word.”
It was less than a month ago.
Will Trump be able to resist bringing up nationalism, or calling out Macron directly? He addresses the same group of leaders later on Sunday, and, as always, Twitter is right at his fingertips.