A president finally brought inspiration to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday—and it wasn't Donald Trump. After two days of cringeworthy PDA between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, the leader of la République française addressed a joint chamber of Congress and stood up for the ideals of democracy, international cooperation and policy informed by actual science.
But perhaps most notably, President Macron shone a ray of light on the so-called “shining city” presently laboring under the shadow of "American carnage" Trump has cast on it. “All of us gathered here in this noble chamber: We, elected officials, all share the responsibility to demonstrate that democracy remains the best answer to the questions and doubts that are raised today,” Macron told U.S. lawmakers.
After aiming high, Macron delivered a firm rebuke of the divisive nationalism Trump campaigned on and has injected into the heart of American diplomacy. “You can play with fears and angers for a time, but they do not construct anything. Anger only freezes and weakens us," he observed, invoking FDR's famous call to action: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. "Closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world. It will not douse, but inflame, the fears of our citizens."
On policy specifically, Macron restated his firm support for the Paris climate accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal—both of which Trump has sought to doom by either pulling out of them or threatening to do so.
“Let us face it, there is no planet B," Macron said, adding that while we may have disagreements "like all families ... we have to work together" to protect the environment.
And on the Iran deal, Macron simply shamed Trump.
For his part, Trump has committed to nothing more than, “We’ll see,” on the Iran nuclear deal. Because that’s the type of straight-shooting reliable partner America is sending forth into the world.
Meanwhile, from the land of the GOP’s “freedom fries,” Macron delivered his own rallying cry: Vive la France!
Check out the video below.