Politics in France, as in the U.S., is about geography. The farther away from the cities you get, the more conservative the vote.
That’s not to say that both countries are the same, but you get my point.
Any time American politics comes up in Paris—and I try not to bring up the subject, but it’s impossible to avoid—people sneer at President Trump. It’s a thumbs-down in my face.
Except for one time, when we happened to be in Paris during the yellow vest, or gilets jaunes, movement.
After a late dinner at Freddy’s, we stopped at a convenience store to grab some water and sat outside to enjoy the activity on a beautiful night.
I said hello to two guys sitting next to us, one of whom was wearing a yellow vest, and engaged them in conversation. Politics came up, as I hoped this time, and when they said “Trump,” it was followed by a two-thumbs-up—up, up—gesture.
Here were the Marine Le Pen nationalists in Paris, like discovering a pearl in an oyster.
Much like working-class Trump supporters, who will not go down without a fight but also will not burn down their own cities, these guys were serious. There have been reports of gilet jaunes joining the “student” rioters, but the movement is different than that of 2019, when the yellow vests fought for what they knew France could be, rather than burning down what it is today. Many of the orderly gilet jaunes protesters of 2019 must be infuriated with today’s anarchy. And maybe some are among those Frenchmen fighting back.
Pay attention to those standing up to the cowardly rioters.
I would not want to get into a physical confrontation with the gentlemen I met. There will be pushback from now until the elections in the spring, and it’s Le Pen who has the brave hearts on her side.
Action Line: Another protest is scheduled for Saturday and will likely include the well funded rioters burning up the place. Pay attention to the nationalists pushing back.
🚨BREAKING: Masked French ultra-nationalists march in Paris chanting “Europa, Youth, Revolution!”
France is growing unsettled… https://t.co/Kxh4z6xq4w
— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) May 10, 2025
