Historic Event in Paris

President-elect Trump will make a significant visit to Paris this weekend to celebrate the highly anticipated reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. This event marks five years since the catastrophic fire that severely damaged the 12th-century structure, a centerpiece of French architectural heritage.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump shared his excitement about the visit, stating, “It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago.”

Trump’s Praise for Macron

Trump continued to praise the efforts of current French President Emmanuel Macron, asserting, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so.” The former president expressed anticipation for the ceremonies, highlighting the magnitude of the occasion: “It will be a very special day for all!”

The ceremonies slated for Saturday and Sunday are invite-only, but they are expected to draw the attention of around 50 heads of state and government worldwide—an indication of the cathedral’s international significance.

The Restoration Journey

Following the fire in April 2019, which devastated the landmark and caused significant structural damage—including the collapse of its roof and parts of its façade—efforts to restore Notre Dame have been monumental. Nearly billion was raised for the restoration, of which approximately 8 million still needs to be fundraised to fully complete the project.

Prior to the fire, Notre Dame was a major tourist attraction, welcoming over 12 million visitors each year, a number that is expected to rise significantly upon reopening. The cathedral is now preparing for an influx of eager visitors; 15 million are projected to reserve time slots to visit the iconic structure, as noted on the cathedral’s official website.

Trump’s Earlier Reactions

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, Trump vocally encouraged French authorities to utilize “flying water tankers” to douse the flames. His social media response at that time read, “So