Marine Le Pen on Donald Trump
Marine Le Pen has historically viewed Donald Trump as a figure who achieved a political breakthrough against the establishment, framing his 2016 victory as evidence that the seemingly impossible could be achieved.
During the 2016 US presidential election campaign, Le Pen signaled a clear preference, stating that anything was preferable to Hillary Clinton for France, though she avoided strong early support for Trump himself.
Her overall relationship is characterized by a shared nationalist and anti-globalization outlook, which explains the initial political sympathy, though her public stance has evolved to be more guarded, particularly after Trump's term and recent global events.
Context
Marine Le Pen and Donald Trump are often linked due to their shared political positioning on themes like nationalism, protectionism, and skepticism towards globalization and established European Union structures.
Le Pen leads the National Rally party, which mirrors the 'America First' ideology with its focus on 'France First,' making Trump a significant international figure of reference for her movement.
Timeline
- While other European populists embraced Trump, Le Pen was initially reserved about his candidacy.
- Following the US election results, Marine Le Pen congratulated Donald Trump via social media.
- Le Pen suggested that Trump's victory in the US presidential election in 2016 had made what was previously deemed impossible politically achievable, linking his success to her own ambitions.
- Following a terrorist attack in France, Donald Trump tweeted in support of Le Pen, specifically praising her stance on borders and security.
Actions Taken
- Social Media EndorsementPosted a tweet congratulating Donald Trump on his election victory.
- Political MeetingMet with Donald Trump during her 2017 presidential campaign.
Key Quotes
For France, anything is better than Hillary Clinton.
Trump had 'made possible what had previously been presented as impossible'.
What Others Say
Donald Trump publicly endorsed Marine Le Pen during the second round of the 2017 French presidential election, calling her the 'strongest on borders' and on 'what's been going on in France' following a security incident.
Former US President Barack Obama phoned Emmanuel Macron to express his support shortly after Le Pen progressed to the second round in 2017, implicitly opposing Le Pen's candidacy.
Sources3
- While other European populists embraced Donald Trump's candidacy in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, she said only, 'For France, anything is better than Hillary Clinton.' However, on 8 November 2016, she posted a tweet congratulating Trump on his election.
- In a 2016 interview with the BBC, Le Pen said that Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election would help her, saying that Trump had 'made possible what had previously been presented as impossible'.
- On 21 April 2017, United States President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that the shooting would have 'a big effect on the presidential election'. Later that day, Trump said that Le Pen was the 'strongest on borders, and she's the strongest on what's been going on in France'. Meanwhile, former US President Barack Obama phoned Emmanuel Macron to express his support.
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.