If Jordan Bardella praises the “patriotism” of Donald Trump, inaugurated this Monday, he also takes a step aside, seeking to avoid endorsing the future protectionist decisions of the American president and their consequences for France.
At Donald Trump, inaugurated president of the United States this Monday, January 20, Jordan Bardella does not take everything. First there is what the president of the National Rally is keeping: the protectionist and anti-immigration speech of the next tenant of the White House. Or his “patriotism”, which Jordan Bardella sings the praises of on RTL to better highlight the political program of his far-right party.
“I like political leaders who put the interest of their country first,” he said, hoping that “what Donald Trump does for America is a boost for Europe and that we also learn to protect our interests.” Nothing surprising. Moreover, Jordan Bardella had shown his preference during the American presidential election, while committing to “respect the vote” of voters.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a model”
The RN will be represented during the investiture ceremony by Louis Aliot, vice-president of the party, and European deputy Julien Sanchez, he specifies on RTL. Why not him? Because Jordan Bardella is not taking everything in this election, preferring to avoid in advance having to defend the protectionist decisions of the 78-year-old billionaire and their impact on France.
Consequently, “I would not say that it is a model because I know that it will undoubtedly be of incredible commercial brutality with regard to France and Europe”, underlines the boss of the RN . In other words, this election is “good news for America, but it is a bad thing for France and for Europe”, according to him.
-On the far right, Éric Zemmour, as well as Sarah Knafo, are less reserved. The two figureheads of Reconquest will be there, after having displayed their closeness in recent years to the American leader.
“We will have to justify ourselves to farmers”
Jordan Bardella pretends to be surprised: “It's strange to be party leader and to necessarily want to attend a meeting or the inauguration ceremony of an American president (…) I can appreciate the patriotism of Trump and be aware that in a few weeks we will have to justify to French farmers, French wine growers, an increase in customs duties by America which will obviously penalize French production, French industry.”
A sequence reminiscent of Donald Trump's post-election reactions. Reconquest and Éric Ciotti, now allied with the RN, had shown enthusiasm while the latter was more distant.
With the American president, the love affair never took off. It's not for lack of attempt, as evidenced by Marine Le Pen's visit to Trump Tower in 2017 during the French presidential campaign in the hope of meeting the man who had just become president of the United States a few months earlier. Without success. The person concerned finally distanced herself from him at the end of 2021, after the assault on the Capitol by his supporters.