Trump revels in French military spectacle
PARIS — For two hours Friday morning, President Trump looked happy.
He was the honored guest at Paris’ Bastille Day military parade and had a prime seat that gave him a view straight down Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and a first glimpse at the tanks, armored vehicles, gun trucks, carriers and troops in historical uniforms headed his way.
He eagerly leaned forward as he took in the spectacle, frequently jostling his wife or French President Emmanuel Macron when he saw something that particularly delighted him. Whenever troops were before him, Trump jumped to his feet and applauded with an enthusiasm that exceeded the response of those around him. For the first time in months, he looked relaxed and to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
The parade is an annual tradition that dates back to 1880, and this year it included a tribute to the centennial anniversary of the United States entering World War I. The parade featured U.S. and French flags, 200 American troops marching in uniforms from 1917 and eight U.S. Air Force planes.
“Mr. Trump’s presence at my side is a sign of an enduring friendship, and I want to thank him,” Macron said in brief remarks after the parade. “Nothing can ever separate us . ... I want to thank America for the choice made 100 years ago.”
Trump has long been delighted by grand displays of military strength, and he has filled his Cabinet with numerous military leaders, although he was disappointed that they could not wear their military uniforms to their new civilian jobs in the administration. Trump wanted to have heavy military equipment and troops at his inauguration parade in January, but that idea was blocked for logistical reasons.
When Macron invited Trump to the parade in a June 27 phone call, the president promised to be there — forcing his staff to quickly scramble to plan a lastminute trip.
The two-hour parade featured one spectacle after another, a demonstration of France’s military history and current capabilities. The parade began with dozens of soldiers on horseback riding along the cobblestone avenue that runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the viewing station where Trump sat. Macron arrived in a military jeep that he rode as if it were a chariot.
At least three military bands took turns playing a parade soundtrack, and massive screens showed an actionmovie-style video that explained the significance of the equipment on display, from vintage tanks that slowly and noisily charged down the avenue to a sleek new armored vehicle from which a handful of troops emerged to act out a mission.
There was then a roar in the sky as nine fighter jets flew overhead, leaving a trail of red, white and blue smoke — representing the French tricolor flag. Dozens of other planes followed. The video screens played footage taken from on board as well as wide shots showing the jets flying over iconic Paris sites.
Most of those at the parade were there to celebrate the holiday — not to see Trump, who is deeply unpopular in France. “It doesn’t please me at all,” said Lola Chauvel, 30, who stood on the banks of the Seine to watch the planes with her 4-year-old son, Mateo.