PARIS (AP) — Donald Trump has departed for his first international trip as president-elect, ready to join world leaders and dignitaries in Paris for a Saturday celebration of the renovation of Notre Dame Cathedral after a devastating 2019 fire.
Trump wrote when he accepted the invitation earlier this week that French President Emmanuel Macron “has done a fantastic job ensuring that Notre Dame is restored to its full glory and more. It will be a very special day for everyone! ”
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of building a relationship with the newly elected president since he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris last month. But his office nonetheless downplayed the significance of the invitation, saying other politicians not currently holding office had also been invited.
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Trump was invited as president-elect of a “friendly nation,” Macron’s office said, adding: “This is not exceptional in any way, we have done it before.”
President Joe Biden was also invited, but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict and said the U.S. would instead be represented by first lady Jill Biden.
Trump and the US first lady last met shortly after the election, when he visited the White House for the traditional meeting between outgoing and incoming presidents.
Trump’s visit to France comes as Macron and other European leaders try to cultivate the president-elect’s favor and convince him to maintain support for Ukraine to defend against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Macron will meet with Trump and then separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the French president’s office said.
Relations between France and the US during Trump’s first term started off warm enough but became increasingly tense over time.
Macron was guest of honor at Trump’s first state dinner and Trump traveled to France several times. But the relationship deteriorated after Macron criticized Trump for questioning the need for NATO and raising doubts about the US commitment to the mutual defense pact.
During his campaign this year, Trump has often mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose high tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the US if France tried to tax American companies.
But Macron was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump after the election last month.
“Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump,” Macron posted on X early in the morning after the election. “Ready to work together as we have for four years. With your beliefs and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Trump was president in 2019 when a massive fire engulfed Notre Dame, causing the spire to collapse and threatening to destroy one of the world’s greatest architectural treasures, known for its mesmerizing stained glass windows.
“So terrible to see the massive fire at Notre Dame in Paris,” he wrote on what was then Twitter, offering his advice to the city.
“Maybe flying water tankers could be used to extinguish it. Must act quickly!” he wrote.
French officials appeared to respond shortly afterwards, noting that “all means” were used to extinguish the flames, “except water bombing which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral.”
Last weekend, Trump announced that he wants to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France.
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Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
