Speaking in Qatar after a Gulf tour to secure oil, gas, diesel, and jet fuel amid an energy crisis, Macron accused electioneering leaders of foreign manipulation and using France for political campaigns.
AP/UNB
21 October, 2026, 07:00 pm
Last modified: 21 October, 2026, 07:03 pm
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (21 October) slammed "stupid" and "unacceptable" claims by foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who blamed Muslim migrants and fake AI-generated images for French riots caused by soaring living costs.
Speaking in Qatar after a Gulf tour to secure oil, gas, diesel, and jet fuel amid an energy crisis, Macron accused electioneering leaders of foreign manipulation and using France for political campaigns.
Trump had urged Macron to "close your borders," claiming an invasion of migrants and Islamists-narratives Macron called completely false. Macron said leaders naively repeat AI content, though he did not specify which images.
Despite earlier good relations, Trump regularly mocks Macron, who remarked that critics "don't love our country."
During his tour, Macron secured nearly 295,000 additional monthly tonnes of diesel-over 10% of France's consumption-including 100,000 tonnes from the UAE, 100,000 tonnes pending in Bahrain, and supplies from Saudi Arabia.