President Trump is attending the grand reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral today alongside other world leaders after a catastrophic fire in April 2019.
President Trump announced he was accepting an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, noting, “It will be a very special day for all!”
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
President Trump arrived in Paris this morning with his Secret Service detail, met by more than 20 French government agents to escort him to his destination.
Joe Biden was also invited, but he did not show up. His wife, Jill, will take his place.
CBS reports,
President Joe Biden was invited as well but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict and said that the first lady, Jill Biden, will instead represent the U.S.
Trump and the U.S. first lady last encountered one another shortly after the election, when he visited the White House for the traditional meeting between outgoing and incoming presidents.
Trump’s visit to France comes as Macron and other European leaders are trying to cultivate the president-elect’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Trump will meet with Macron and Britain’s Prince William — who’s also meeting with Jill Biden, according to the British royal palace.
It is unclear whether or not Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Watch live coverage of the reopening event below:
