Macron Accuses Foreign Leaders of Exploiting French Riots, Says Trump Is 'Among Others'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday accused foreign leaders of exploiting last weekend's riots in France for their own election campaigns, and when asked whether he meant President Donald Trump, he answered, "Among others."

Speaking to reporters in Doha, Qatar, at the end of a Gulf tour to secure fuel supplies, Macron said there had been "foreign manipulation of information" after the looting in Paris and other cities. "And that has led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid, from many people, including foreign leaders," he said.

Macron said AI-generated images had circulated showing scenes that never happened in France. "We've had people claiming that we were invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false," he said. He did not say which images he meant.

He said some leaders "in the middle of election campaigns," in the Middle East and "on the other side of the Atlantic," were repeating that content. "They're using our country for their own political campaigns," Macron said. "And we don't need that."

Trump has blamed the violence on "migrants, jihadists and communists" and urged Macron to "close your borders and take control before it is too late!" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an election next weekend, said France had been hit by an "invasion of extremist Islam." Trump's Republican Party faces midterm elections on Nov. 3.

The unrest began Saturday, Oct. 17, when largely peaceful demonstrations over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Limoges and other cities. In Limoges, the historic town hall was set on fire. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged Monday that police had lost control in some cities. He said intelligence had pointed to about 200,000 demonstrators nationwide, but more than 500,000 turned out, and the 60,000 police and other security forces deployed were not enough to contain organized groups of rioters. Nuñez offered his resignation. Macron refused it and ordered him to review the planning and intelligence failures and bring in new methods for policing riots.

Authorities then imposed partial night-time curfews in areas of several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lille. The nights of Monday and Tuesday passed with relative calm, and the curfews were expected to be renewed Wednesday.

The next test comes Saturday. The yellow vest movement, which led a nationwide protest campaign against living costs in 2018, formally filed plans Wednesday for a march through central Paris, and student groups called protests for the same day to press for more spending on education. Macron said those who want to cause disorder in city centers on Saturday would be stopped. He said France does not need a state of emergency and has the means to keep order.

Ministers have promised a large, reinforced security operation, with some troops expected to deploy alongside police. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met union leaders Wednesday, but no concrete measures followed. France's main unions then called a nationwide strike and day of action for Nov. 5. Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union, called the anger legitimate and said it required a political answer rather than repression.

Financial markets have added to the pressure on the government. The yield on France's benchmark 10-year government bond rose above 5% on Wednesday, its highest level since 2002. The crisis comes about six months before the presidential election that will choose Macron's successor.

Macron's Gulf trip was aimed at rising fuel costs, one of the grievances behind the protests. His office said he secured an additional 100,000 tonnes of diesel a month from the United Arab Emirates, with another 100,000 tonnes to be confirmed in Bahrain, and that close to 295,000 more tonnes a month could be secured in all, including from Saudi Arabia. That would equal more than 10% of France's monthly diesel use.