Fact Check: Did Emmanuel Macron blame Trump for unrest and riots in France?
WASHINGTON, DC: A claim circulating online has sparked controversy by alleging that French President Emmanuel Macron blamed US President Donald Trump for the widespread riots across France.
The post also attributes a statement to Macron suggesting that countries opposing the United States often face unrest, riots and attempts at regime change. Let's fact-check the claim.
Claim: Emmanuel Macron blamed Trump for the riots in France
An X post shared a video of Emmanuel Macron delivering a national address in which he distinguished peaceful protesters demonstrating over high fuel prices from rioters and looters.
Macron reportedly attributed the rise in fuel prices to the war involving Iran, which France had avoided.
The video circulated online amid claims that Macron had blamed US President Donald Trump for the unrest in France.
🚨🇫🇷🇮🇷 Macron blames the riots... on Trump?? "We should never mix up peaceful protesters with looters and rioters, because there are people who rightfully feel that fuel prices are going too high. It's because of the Iran war." Writer: Michael https://t.co/QwsJjNjQQd
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 18, 2026
The X post began by asking, "Macron blames the riots on Trump??" It then shared an alleged statement attributed to Macron: "We should never mix up peaceful protesters with looters and rioters, because there are people who rightfully feel that fuel prices are going too high. It's because of the Iran war."
The post drew mixed reactions from users. One commenter asked, "please verify Macron's claim regarding Trump." Another responded, "No, you fool, it's you and your masters! Intentionally destroying Europe! We see you."
Another X user shared a similar claim, writing, "BIG NEWS French President Emmanuel Macron holds Donald Trump responsible for the widespread riots across France. He says "Countries that oppose the US often face unrest, riots, and attempts at regime change"
Fact Check: False, no evidence to back the viral claim
The claim is false. Macron did not blame Trump for the riots across France. Neither Macron’s address nor the official transcript contains these statements.
Credible news reports also provide no evidence that he made the alleged remarks.
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Macron delivered a televised national address from the Élysée Palace following unrest that erupted after largely peaceful protests the previous day.
In his address, Macron condemned what he described as unrestrained violence by agitators from ultra-left groups and other criminals.
He distinguished peaceful demonstrators with legitimate demands from those who destroyed property, smashed windows and looted businesses.
However, Macron did not mention Trump, the United States, opposition to the US or attempts at regime change. He also did not attribute responsibility for the riots to the American president.
Reports from multiple news outlets, including the BBC, AFP, Reuters, PBS and Politico, covered the address without reporting the alleged remarks about Trump.
Trump separately commented on the unrest in a Truth Social post, writing that “France is burning!”
He blamed immigration, referring to “people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts,” and called for border control.
French authorities, meanwhile, attributed the violence primarily to ultra-left groups and looters rather than immigration. Macron did not address Trump's post in his national speech.
