On Sunday, as world leaders gathered in France to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I, Emmanual Macron gave the speech the world needed to hear while U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin looked on.
“Nationalism is a betrayal of Patriotism because it is selfish, it says we don’t care about the others” Emmanuel Macron #bitchslapping
— Venesha Phillips ???????????????? (@veneshatweets) November 11, 2018
Macron decried the scourge of nationalism that is gripping the world with Trump, Putin, and other world leaders in power who embrace the philosophies that allied countries have fought so hard to quell.
According to The Washington Post:
‘French President Emmanuel Macron marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I by delivering a forceful rebuke against rising nationalism, calling it a “betrayal of patriotism” and warning against “old demons coming back to wreak chaos and death.”
‘Macron’s speech in French to more than 60 global leaders, including President Trump, aimed to draw a clear line between his belief that a global order based on liberal values is worth defending and those who have sought to disrupt that system.’
„Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism“ – what a speech of president Macron. Let’s hope Donald Trump was listening closely. #Armistice2018 pic.twitter.com/E9tnzCrLIl
— Ines Pohl (@inespohl) November 11, 2018
Just a little more than two weeks before, Trump controversially stood in front of his rally fans and claimed the word for his own amidst cheers from the crowd and horror from those who understood how dangerous that sentiment has been throughout history.
‘You know, they have a word – it’s sort of became old-fashioned – it’s called a nationalist. And I say, really, we’re not supposed to use that word. You know what I am? I’m a nationalist, okay? I’m a nationalist. Nationalist. Nothing wrong. Use that word. Use that word.’
Quick snapshots of President Trump’s reaction as President Macron wrapped his armistice speech, strongly rebuking nationalism and calling it “a betrayal of patriotism” pic.twitter.com/xwzM8UNnYH
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) November 11, 2018
There was no love displayed between the two despite their warm photos during Macron’s visit to Washington, D.C. over the summer. Trump mostly sat stone-faced looking on and began his visit with a rebuke of Macron that was filled with misinformation about statements the French president made prior to Trump’s arrival.
President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018
After Macron’s moving and heartfelt speech, that tension is only likely to increase.
Featured image via Twitter by @albamonica
