Jakarta, ThedailyID — France has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s comments about the country’s ongoing student protests.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France should tell its own story instead of allowing others to define the protests. “If we do not write our own story, others will write it for us,” Barrot said, according to BFMTV.
Barrot made the statement after Trump linked the protests to Islam and what he called uncontrolled mass migration.
“What’s happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn’t about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump did not provide evidence for his claim. Reports on the protests instead point to concerns over France’s education system, including teacher shortages, poor school infrastructure, and overcrowded classrooms.
The protests began among high school students in late September. They have since spread across France and attracted support from teachers, parents, university students, and activists.
More than 266,000 people demonstrated across France on October 6, according to official figures. Organizers put the number at around 450,000.
The demonstrations have also seen clashes between protesters and police. Authorities have reported thousands of arrests and hundreds of injuries since the movement began.
French officials have faced criticism over the police response. The government has defended law enforcement while also launching investigations into alleged misconduct.
Meanwhile, Trump’s comments have added an international political dimension to the unrest. His remarks came less than a month before the November US midterm elections, where immigration remains a major political issue.
Barrot did not endorse Trump’s explanation. Instead, he stressed that France should present its own account of what is happening.
The protests continue to center on education concerns. Students have demanded better school conditions, more teachers, and improved access to educational resources.
