Macron calls foreign claims blaming migrants for French unrest 'stupid' as new protests loom

Summary

French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected claims that France has been 'invaded' by migrants and Islamists, saying comments by foreign leaders about the country's unrest were 'as unacceptable as they are stupid'. Speaking in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, he said there had been 'foreign manipulation of information' after the looting in Paris and other French cities during last weekend's unrest, and accused foreign leaders of exploiting the situation for their own political gain. He did not name names, but outlets report the remarks targeted claims by Donald Trump and others blaming Muslims and migrants for the riots. Hindustan Times reports that Trump urged Macron to 'close your borders and take control before it is too late!'. As the government prepared for further protests on Saturday, Deutsche Welle reports that France has banned protests in parts of Paris, and that police are set to extend restrictions on gatherings in parts of the city on Thursday.

Timeline

1. RFI

   21 Oct 2026, 11:37 UTCSource ↗

   RFI reports that Macron rejected claims that France has been invaded by migrants and Islamists, accused foreign leaders of spreading false information about last weekend's unrest, and said the government was preparing for further protests on Saturday.

2. The Hindu

   21 Oct 2026, 12:36 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Macron blasted 'stupid' claims by Trump and others blaming Muslims and migrants for the French riots, and said there has been foreign manipulation of information after the looting in Paris and other French cities.

3. The Guardian

   21 Oct 2026, 14:44 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Macron accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making 'stupid comments' about France's unrest for political gain, without naming names, as the country prepared for more protests this weekend.

4. Hindustan Times

   21 Oct 2026, 15:36 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Macron slammed 'stupid' claims by Donald Trump and others blaming Muslim migrants for the French riots, and that Trump had urged Macron to 'close your borders and take control before it is too late!'.

5. Sydney Morning Herald

   21 Oct 2026, 20:53 UTCSource ↗

   The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Macron attacked 'stupid' claims by Trump and others blaming migrants for the riots, accusing foreign leaders of seeking to exploit France's unrest for their own political gain and of spreading misinformation online.

6. Deutsche Welle

   21 Oct 2026, 22:32 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that France banned protests in parts of Paris as Macron railed against 'stupid' comments by foreign leaders made for political purposes, and that Paris police are set to extend restrictions on gatherings in parts of the city on Thursday.