Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has linked France’s growing high school protest movement to mass migration and Islam, rejecting the view that the unrest is primarily about education.
His comments came as more than a quarter-million people took to the streets across France on Tuesday, demanding better school conditions, more staff and increased funding.
Trump Recasts France’s School Crisis
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the unrest reflected what he described as “out of control mass migration” and claimed the protests were driven by efforts by Islam to take over France.
His remarks echoed his administration’s broader criticism of European migration policies and warnings about their potential social impact.
The protests began in September, particularly in poorer suburbs around Paris, before spreading nationwide.
Students, teachers and parents have raised concerns about deteriorating school buildings, staff shortages, inadequate funding, leaking roofs and other poor conditions, including reported rat infestations.
The French government has pledged measures to address some of the concerns.
Demonstrations were largely peaceful in several cities, with protesters demanding better-funded schools. However, clashes and fires were reported in Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes, where police used tear gas after some protesters threw projectiles.
The French government has deployed riot police, while rights groups and student organizations have criticized the response. Authorities have also said outside groups and violent elements have contributed to unrest in parts of the movement.
Protest organizers estimated that around 2,000 high schools were shut, while the Education Ministry said 891 schools had classes fully or partially suspended.
The High School Students Union said more than half of France’s high schools had been affected.
Trump’s comments have also been embraced by figures in the MAGA movement ahead of next month’s US midterm elections. Trump ally Glenn Beck described the French unrest as a warning for the West.
