Trump warns France may lose its identity over immigration

France faces a new wave of street violence this week. President Donald Trump renewed a warning he first issued ten years ago, telling French President Emmanuel Macron that the country risks losing its identity if it does not address immigration.

Trump made the remarks on Tuesday night after a campaign rally in Texas. The event was a final push for Republican candidates before the midterm elections scheduled for next week. He told Fox News Digital that the current unrest is not an education issue. "It's not a school problem. It's an immigration problem," he said. Trump noted that he likes Macron a lot but has long told him, "You're going to end up losing your country if you don't do something."

The president said he discussed the situation with Charles Kushner, the U.S. ambassador to France. Trump believes the protests stem from people who dislike French culture. "You have people that hate France," he said. "They hate the buildings, hate the art, they hate the people. And they're in there, and you have to get them out." He described the situation in Europe as very sad and insisted that action is required now.

Protests in France began with student demonstrations but have expanded to include local grievances. The movement has filled streets and led to clashes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that nearly 1,000 people were arrested on Saturday as nationwide protests resumed. Macron stated that ultra-left groups aiming to bring down the Republic are driving the demonstrations. He said gatherings organized by groups with no legitimate authority will be banned, and anyone who loots or damages property will have to pay.

Macron accused foreign leaders of making unacceptable and stupid comments about the situation last week. He described these remarks as false claims made for political gain without naming specific leaders. Both the United States and Israel are currently in high-stakes election cycles. A Fox News Digital investigation identified 50 Antifa groups among nearly 300 groups mobilizing around the protests. The network also includes communist, socialist, far-left, and anti-Israel organizations.

Unrest has spread to other parts of Europe this month. Violence broke out in Rome and in Tirana, the capital of Albania, where demonstrators set government buildings on fire. Macron has deployed tens of thousands of police officers to maintain order. The White House has not issued a formal response to the specific allegations made by the French president.