Riots that swept several French cities over the weekend have ignited a fierce fight over migration among European leaders, with President Donald Trump telling European countries to shut their borders before it is too late. Trump made the call on Truth Social on Sunday as Hungarian and Polish leaders said the chaos proves their hardline immigration policies are right.
The unrest began as demonstrations over the cost of living but spiraled into arson, looting and clashes with police, according to POLITICO. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Sunday night, promising a fully transparent investigation into how the protests turned violent.
Trump and European Leaders Sound the Alarm
Trump posted on Truth Social: “Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” The president has repeatedly blamed Europe’s migration policies for the unrest, claiming the protests are not about school conditions but the result of mass migration, as the Daily Mail reported.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on X that the scenes in France make it “clear to everyone why Hungary advocates the strictest possible approach to migration,” according to POLITICO. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, without naming France directly, posted: “Poland will not repeat the mistakes of other European countries, nor will it pay for them.”
Euronews reported that left-wing critics accused Magyar of exploiting the unrest, noting that most of the protesters were French nationals.
A Bitter Fight Behind Closed Doors
The public posts followed what diplomats described as an unusually heated migration debate at last week’s European Council summit in Brussels. Two EU diplomats, speaking anonymously to POLITICO, called the exchange “heated,” “ugly” and “not worthy of a European Council setting.” One diplomat said European Council President António Costa should have stepped in to cut the debate short.
According to POLITICO, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš used “highly charged language” linking migration to the “defense of European civilization.” A spokesperson for Czechia in Brussels declined to comment.
Denmark, Italy and Poland led a push to sharply toughen the summit’s language on migration. More than a dozen countries backed the effort, three diplomats told POLITICO, but it failed when Macron, Luxembourgish Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez refused to sign on. Le Monde reported that Macron criticized the debate as “very politicized,” with Spain pushing for a large-scale program to regularize undocumented migrants while France and Luxembourg stood with it in the more open-doors camp.
Why This Matters for the Midterms and for Iowa
The timing is notable for American voters. Trump’s midterms are set for Nov. 3, and one EU diplomat at the summit told POLITICO the president’s positions are aimed squarely at domestic audiences.
“He’s talking to Iowa. He’s talking to Michigan and Ohio,” the diplomat said, referring to Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russia, his demands that Kyiv stop striking Russian oil refineries and reports that his administration is considering easing sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet. Another diplomat said European capitals have been warned since August that Trump will keep up the pressure until the midterms are over.
For Iowans, the European backlash is a familiar story: voters there are also weighing border security and the cost of living as the Nov. 3 elections approach, with recent polling showing the Iowa Senate race tightening.
Macron’s Grip Weakens
The riots have also damaged Macron’s standing in Brussels just as EU leaders need to negotiate the bloc’s long-term budget and funding for Ukraine. Two diplomats told POLITICO the weekend’s violence “limits his ability to act” at the European Council table.
At home, Macron’s ministers are holding a series of crisis meetings after his national address fell flat on Sunday night, POLITICO reported. A political blame game is underway, with the far-left accused of amplifying the unrest and Macron’s administration blasted for losing control of the streets.
The bigger picture: right-wing and far-right parties are gaining ground across Europe, and elections are looming in Spain, France and Italy amid high energy prices and a souring economy. POLITICO’s assessment is blunt: migration is a powder keg for Europe, and the riots in France could be the spark that brings right-leaning parties to power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the riots in France?
Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday: “Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” He blamed the unrest on mass migration rather than local conditions.
Which European leaders defended strict border policies?
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš all pushed for tougher migration policies, according to POLITICO.
Why did the tougher EU migration language fail?
Leaders from Denmark, Italy and Poland won support from more than a dozen countries, but Macron of France, Luc Frieden of Luxembourg and Pedro Sánchez of Spain refused to sign on, according to three diplomats who spoke to POLITICO.