Trump claims “Paris will be a Muslim city very soon” as unrest grips France; Macron says nothing justifies the violence

From “France is burning!” to “close up your borders”: a timeline of Trump’s comments on the French unrest

October 20, 2026

Is Paris on course to become a Muslim-majority city? Why the claim isn’t backed by demographic data

US President Donald Trump has blamed immigration for the violent unrest in France and claimed that Paris will become a “Muslim city” soon, comments that come as the French government imposes curfews and tries to bring the situation under control.

What Trump said

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump recalled a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron from years earlier. “You’re letting everybody from the world come in,” he said he had told Macron. “Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon,” he added, saying that “wasn’t the deal.” Trump called Macron a friend, but said he should close France’s borders.

He also rejected the idea that the unrest stems from schools or economic grievances. “What’s happening in France has to do with immigration, not schools, not anything,” he said.

Posts on Truth Social

The remarks followed two posts on his Truth Social platform. On Sunday, he wrote “France is burning!” and urged the country to close its borders and regain control before it is too late. On Monday, he wrote that “the migrants have taken over France.”

.@POTUS on the France riots: “Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon, and that wasn’t the deal… Emmanuel should’ve closed his borders a long time ago. I told him to do it.” https://t.co/Ep8mzgPVq8
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 19, 2026

What the claim rests on

Trump’s prediction is not backed by any established demographic forecast. France does not collect official population statistics by religion, which makes precise estimates difficult. Some outlets have cited estimates of 6 million to 7 million Muslims in France, with many living in the Paris region, but those figures do not suggest Paris is on course to become a Muslim-majority city.

The situation in France

Demonstrations over soaring prices at the weekend degenerated into some of the worst street violence France has seen in recent years. A fire severely damaged the city hall in Limoges, businesses were looted, and clashes with police were reported in Paris, Marseille and other cities. The government has announced curfews. Macron has said that nothing justifies “unbridled” violence, and the prime minister has blamed “ultra-left radical groups” for the unrest.

US political echoes

Trump’s remarks come as midterm elections approach in the US. Vice President JD Vance had earlier blamed immigration policies for the unrest, and several right-wing US commentators made similar arguments.

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