French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday took direct aim at world leaders he says are exploiting France’s riots for political gain, calling their comments “stupid” and blaming AI-generated fake videos for spreading false claims about the unrest.
What happened
Speaking to reporters in Doha, Qatar — on the sidelines of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds Summit — Macron said foreign leaders campaigning for upcoming elections had repeated “sometimes with credulity” material generated by artificial intelligence.
“There was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders,” Macron said, according to AFP. He did not name the leaders, but the context points squarely at US President Donald Trump, who faces key midterm elections on November 3, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections on October 27.
“We saw images generated by AI which showed scenes that never took place in France,” Macron said. “We had people who explained that we had been ‘invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists’ – which is totally false.”
Why it matters
Trump has sought to link what he called the “revolution” in France to “migrants, jihadists, and communists” as part of his anti-immigration messaging ahead of the US midterms, and on Tuesday hailed French far-right leader Marine Le Pen — the frontrunner in France’s 2027 presidential race — as a “conservative voice.”
Netanyahu, fighting for his political life in the October 27 Israeli vote, said on Tuesday that France had been hit by an “invasion of extremist Islam.” Analysts have dismissed claims that migrants were driving the French protests, AFP reported.
Macron’s swipe landed as his government struggled to regain control after some of the worst urban violence to hit France in years erupted on October 17 on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living. France’s government has admitted it “lost control” as masked youths clashed with police, looted shops and vandalized public buildings.
“There are people who campaign at France’s expense – leaders who are in campaign mode, whether here in the region or on the other side of the Atlantic,” Macron told reporters. “In these moments you see who likes France and who does not. All the people who speak badly of us now do not like our country.”
An important nuance
Macron emphasized that he did not see “foreign interference” in what actually unfolded in France over the weekend. His accusation was about the manipulation of information about the events — specifically AI-generated images and videos he said depicted scenes that never happened.
What remains uncertain
Neither Trump nor Netanyahu had publicly responded to Macron’s remarks at the time of writing. It is also unclear whether French authorities will publish documented examples of the AI-generated videos Macron cited. Further demonstrations are expected in France this weekend, and Paris is preparing for more protests.
FAQs
What did Macron say about foreign leaders and the France riots?
Speaking in Doha on October 21, Macron said some world leaders made “stupid” comments about the France riots, influenced by AI-generated fake videos, and were “campaigning at France’s expense” ahead of elections.
Did Macron name Trump or Netanyahu?
No. Macron did not name either leader, but AFP and other outlets noted Trump faces US midterms on November 3 and Netanyahu faces Israel’s October 27 election — the apparent targets of his remarks.
What did Trump say about the France riots?
Trump linked the unrest to “migrants, jihadists, and communists,” said “what’s happening in France has to do with immigration,” and praised far-right leader Marine Le Pen as a “conservative voice.”
Were the France riots driven by migrants?
Analysts have dismissed claims that migrants were driving the protests, and Macron called the “invasion” claims “totally false,” pointing to AI-generated imagery.
When did the France riots happen?
The worst urban violence in years erupted on October 17, 2026, on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.
Sources
- AFP via The Straits Times: Macron slams ‘stupid’ comments based on AI videos by leaders on France riots
- AFP via Bangkok Post: Macron decries ‘stupid’ comments on France riots
- AFP via Free Malaysia Today: Macron takes aim at Trump for using France riots for election gain
- AFP via DAWN: Macron takes aim at Trump for using France riots for election gain
