Donald Trump and Éric Zemmour Condemn French Riots
French politician Éric Zemmour and U.S. officials blamed immigration and assimilation failures for violent riots and looting across France and Italy.
Violent riots and looting broke out across France on October 17, beginning as protests over the cost of living and public services before escalating into clashes with police. Similar unrest occurred over the same weekend in Milan, Italy, where youths looted shops and fought with authorities.
Éric Zemmour, leader of the Reconquête party, claimed the violence revealed the "true face of the Great Replacement." He characterized the rioters as "hordes of North African and African barbarians" and alleged the unrest was fueled by a hatred of France and revenge for colonization, with support from LFI deputies and Antifa militias.
U.S. officials responded to the instability with calls for stricter immigration controls. Donald Trump urged France to close its borders, while Vice President JD Vance attributed the violence to a failure of assimilation resulting from Western liberal immigration policies.
