Nationalism betrays patriotism: Macron lectures Trump in Paris
What's the story
At the World War I Armistice Day commemoration in Paris on Sunday, just as the world watched global leaders pay their respects to the fallen, France President Emmanuel Macron renounced US President Donald Trump's idea of nationalism. In his speech, Macron said nationalism was a betrayal of patriotism, days after Trump in a rally said he was a nationalist and advocated the term.
Context
It has been 100 years since first World War ended
In Paris, Macron was joined by nearly seventy leaders like Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel to commemorate the end of the first world war. For the first time in history, a German leader laid a wreath at the ceremony. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier performed the duty on behalf of his nation, marking a new direction in relations of France and Germany.
Twitter Post
Leaders remember the soldiers
Il ne dépend que de nous que cette image soit interprétée à l’avenir comme le symbole d’une paix durable entre les nations, et non comme la photographie d’un dernier moment d’unité avant que le monde ne sombre dans un nouveau désordre. pic.twitter.com/kQ5MKYtgf3
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018
Macron's words
Patriotism and nationalism are opposites, Macron explains
It was Macron words, however, which took the centerstage at the ceremony, as he gave a lesson on patriotism from the dais. Macron said, "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values."
Twitter Post
Macron's office chose to tweet his words
Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By putting our own interests first, with no regard for others, we erase the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the thing that keeps it alive: its moral values. https://t.co/w9AltyvMDw
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018
POTUS' statement
I am nationalist. Ok?: Trump had said
Trump used the loaded term as a badge of honor and urged everyone to follow suit. Recently, he said a globalist is a person who wanted the globe to do well. He went on, "Frankly not caring about our country so much, and you know what, we can't have that." "I'm a nationalist. Ok? I'm a nationalist. Nationalist. Use that word," he had said.
Details
After Macron's speech, Trump gave a delayed applause
Macron's words are widely seen as an answer to Trump's idea of nationalism though he didn't mention the US or its President. His remarks could also be targeted at Putin, who came late for the ceremony in the European nation, or Macron's own country where 'nationalism' is brewing. Additionally, NBC reported, Trump grimaced after the speech and gave a muted applause.