Donald Trump is heading to Paris, and for once, it’s not to negotiate a trade deal or make headlines about tariffs—it’s to attend the grand reopening of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral. After five years of painstaking restoration following the devastating 2019 fire, the iconic Paris landmark is ready to welcome visitors once again. And leave it to Trump to make sure he’s front and center at what’s bound to be a globally televised event.
On Truth Social, Trump announced the trip with his usual flourish, calling the cathedral “Magnificent and Historic” and praising French President Emmanuel Macron for ensuring the restoration was “even more so.” It’s classic Trump: a mix of genuine appreciation and a subtle nod to his ability to land himself in the middle of major world events. For Trump, no occasion is complete without a healthy dose of spectacle, and the reopening of Notre Dame fits the bill perfectly.
President Trump just announced he is attending the re-opening of Notre Dame ✝️ pic.twitter.com/lWa1ElnBq1
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 3, 2024
But let’s not pretend this is all about admiration for French architecture. Trump’s first overseas trip since reclaiming the White House is as much about optics as it is about attending a ceremony. It sends a message: Trump is back on the global stage, and he’s not here to play second fiddle. By accepting Macron’s invitation, Trump signals he’s ready to reassert American leadership, even if it’s at an event celebrating France’s cultural triumph.
Trump is attending the grand reopening of Notre Dame cathedral after it has been restored from a fire in 2019. The event will be held this weekend. Please pray for his safety while traveling overseas.
Interestingly, the Pope has declined to attend this historic event, even at… pic.twitter.com/odPLrwIe15
— Nevs (@Nevstv) December 3, 2024
Of course, this comes on the heels of Trump flexing his foreign policy muscles in typical hardball fashion. Just days ago, he threatened tariffs on BRICS countries if they dared ditch the U.S. dollar, dismissing their plans with a “find another sucker” jab that only Trump could pull off.
“They can go find another ‘sucker!’” Trump said on Truth Social. “There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any Country that tries should wave goodbye to America.”
And let’s not forget his warning to Canada and Mexico about drugs and illegal immigration, which prompted a weekend meeting with Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago. Even while gearing up for a high-profile trip to Paris, Trump is keeping his foot on the gas when it comes to trade and border policy.
Trump’s critics will no doubt roll their eyes at his Notre Dame visit, dismissing it as a vanity trip. But love him or hate him, you can’t deny the guy knows how to stay in the spotlight. Attending a globally significant event like the reopening of Notre Dame while simultaneously driving hard bargains on tariffs and immigration? That’s pure Trump: never missing an opportunity to mix diplomacy with a dash of showmanship.
