US President Donald Trump has linked the ongoing student protests in France to mass migration and Islam, rejecting the view that the demonstrations are primarily about conditions in the country’s schools.
Trump made the comment in a post on his Truth Social account on Tuesday as student protests continued across France, with hundreds of schools closed or disrupted.
“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 said.
The protests have spread beyond school campuses, with demonstrations reported in several parts of the country and some turning violent.
Student organisations have called for a nationwide day of protest on Tuesday, with student unions, education unions and the national parents’ union expected to participate.
The demonstrations have been driven by concerns over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor school facilities and inadequate resources in the education sector.
Hundreds of high schools have been affected by the protests, with some fully closed while others have operated with reduced services.
French authorities have also warned of further disruption, including possible effects on public transportation as demonstrations continue.
The protests have increasingly drawn the attention of the French government as authorities seek to contain unrest while responding to concerns raised by students and education workers.
Trump’s comments have added an international political dimension to the protests, with the US president directly attributing the unrest to migration and Islam rather than the education-related grievances cited by organisers.
The demonstrations are expected to continue as student and labour organisations press their demands across the country.
