President Trump cast the coming midterm elections as a fight over the future of “Western civilization” during a campaign rally in Wichita, Kansas, on Monday, citing unrest in France as a warning to American voters.
“If you want to understand what this election is about, look at France,” Trump told the crowd.
He portrayed France as a once-powerful country being overtaken and destroyed by migrants, jihadists and communists whom he accused of hostility toward Christianity.
Trump added that the groups also oppose Western civilization itself.
At least 2,400 people were arrested over the weekend as demonstrations escalated into riots and looting in cities throughout France, including Paris.
The protests, which began last month as a student movement focused on school conditions, have since expanded to include anger over inflation and the rising cost of living.
Officials said approximately 3,000 businesses across several cities had been damaged or looted amid the unrest.
In Limonge, protesters set fire to the historic municipal hall on Saturday. The blaze destroyed the roof and brought down the clock tower of the 143-year-old building.
Trump used the destruction in France to attack the Democratic Party, arguing that burning churches and buildings reflected what “radical Democrats” supposedly want for the United States. He insisted such a scenario would not come close to happening under his watch.
He further accused Democrats of pursuing an agenda aimed at eliminating Western civilization.
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Trump said Democrats wanted to open the borders, close power plants, release criminals, “turn your children transgender,” seize Americans’ money and raise the Palestinian flag in Kansas. He also accused them of showing disrespect toward the American flag, declaring that his supporters would not allow those outcomes.
The president blamed what he called “third-world migrants” and “globalist left-wing politicians” for France’s crisis.
Trump said French leaders had surrendered the country to “vandals.” He described the protesters as migrants who refuse to assimilate and seek access to social welfare funded by French workers.
He warned that the upheaval unfolding in France was something Democrats wanted to bring to the United States.
Trump’s appearance in Kansas was part of a fast-paced tour of Republican-leaning states ahead of the November midterm elections.
During the rally, he endorsed Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, calling him one of the Senate’s strongest members, and backed GOP gubernatorial hopeful Ty Masterson.
Trump also offered condolences to those affected by a deadly car crash in Wichita over the weekend. The collision injured 10 people and killed two, including a 6-year-old boy.
“We grieve for the beautiful lives that were lost,” Trump said, while praying for those hurt in what he called a horrific tragedy.
The 34-year-old woman accused of driving into a crowd at the Stryker Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon was released without charges.
Trump said authorities needed to determine exactly what happened and promised that federal assistance would be available to local law enforcement if needed.
“We want to find out what happened.”
