France: Trump praises Le Pen as unrest raises tourism worries

US President Donald Trump has praised France's right-wing leader Marine Le Pen, calling her a "voice of conservatism." However, he has not given a clear answer on whether he would back Le Pen in France's 2027 presidential election.

Asked by a reporter, Trump said he has not met Le Pen. With US midterm elections approaching, Trump has repeatedly used France's unrest as an opportunity to comment on immigration and left-wing politics. He has described the unrest in France not as ordinary riots but as something resembling a revolution that is still continuing.

Meanwhile, as images of clashes with police, arson and looting in cities including Nice, Paris and Lyon have spread worldwide, tourism operators have grown worried. They warn that if the violence repeats, tourist arrivals and revenue could fall further.

Christelle Casagne, head of ADN Tourisme, the umbrella body for tourism organizations, described the violence seen in major cities as devastating. According to her, tourists come to sightsee and enjoy themselves, not to be confined inside hotels. Some tourists have questioned Paris's security, while others are considering cancelling or postponing their trips.