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THE RESTORED SPIRE of the 861 year-old Notre Dame cathedral is to provide a dramatic backdrop for Donald Trump’s return to the geopolitical stage, as the US president-elect makes a visit to Europe to mingle with world leaders at an official reopening ceremony in Paris today.
Trump posted on his Truth Social website shortly after accepting the invitation, saying that French President Emmanuel Macron had “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!”
The visit is Trump’s first trip overseas since he won the presidential election a month ago, and could offer Macron an opportunity to play the role of mediator between Europe and the unpredictable U.S. politician, a role the French leader has relished in the past.
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of cultivating a relationship with the President-elect since he defeated Kamala Harris in the US election last month.
Macron’s office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying that other politicians who do not currently hold office had been invited as well.
Trump was invited as President-elect of a “friendly nation”, Macron’s office told reporters, adding: “This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before.”
The ceremony marks the reopening of France’s historic Notre Dame Cathedral for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the landmark in 2019.
The restoration is widely seen as a moment of triumph for Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline – and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes.
The packed evening ceremony is being hailed as a rare moment of unity against the backdrop of global divisions and conflicts.
President Joe Biden was invited to the ceremony but will not attend due to “scheduling conflicts”, with First lady Jill Biden set to attend to “represent America”.
Nearly 50 heads of state and government and personalities – 1,500 guests in all – will attend the reopening celebration under Notre Dame’s soaring Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.
Trump’s visit to France comes as Macron and other European leaders are trying to cultivate Trump’s favour and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Macron will meet Trump and then separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the French President’s office said.
It is not clear whether Trump will meet Zelensky. Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine swiftly but has not specified how he will do so, raising concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations.
Relations between France and the US during Trump’s first term began warmly enough but grew increasingly strained over time.
The relationship suffered after Macron criticised Trump for questioning the need for Nato and raising doubts about America’s commitment to the mutual defence pact.
On the campaign trail this year, Trump often mocked Macron, threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the US if France tries to tax American companies.
But Macron was one of the first global leaders to congratulate Trump last month after the election, posting a message to Trump on X the morning after the US President-elect secured his second term in office.
“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,” Macron said.
With additional reporting from Press Association.
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R.I.P god love his Family
So sad he probably on his way to work. Take care on the roads people!
This is a shame .. 23 years old .
For gods sake think everyone
an absolute tragedy . RIP
People slow down. Alot of crashes are down to bad driving and high speed. Slow down and drive carefully. Please
Nonsensical comment, its actually rare a crash in Dublin kills someone. As I’ve started before the problem with road deaths in Ireland is the people outside of Dublin thinking cause they know the roads they will be grand and then rear end a tractor or a tree. You don’t know the circumstances so who the feck gave you the right to preach and tell people what to do. Heartless waste of space
Insensitive idiot! This poor chaps family are grieving and don t need this type of comment! For shame on you!!!
For shame
There is a family grieving for this man… You guys wouldn’t like it if your relative died and people are messing with your relatives death! People, grow up and have respect! #Rip
Rarely drive on M50 but I was always told to drive in the centre lane as it allows others to over take but also allows people joining the road to get up to speed and off the slip road with very little hassle..
This was supposed to be posted to the earlier article… Dunno how it wound up here
Whoever told you that is a moron. The left lane is the one you should be driving in, rather than driving alongside the person filtering on by hogging the middle lane, thus making them brake if something slower is in front of them!
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