Trump Just Lied About Paris To Smear Refugees. The Paris Mayor’s Response Is Priceless
In this morning’s disaster of a speech, President Donald Trump told his audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference that his friend “Jim” won’t go to Paris anymore because it has been infiltrated by “foreign terrorists,” implying that terrorists were hiding among refugees to commit acts of terror.
“For years every year during the summer, he would go to Paris. It was automatic with him and his family. Hadn’t seen him in a while, and I said, ‘Jim let me ask you a question: How’s Paris doing?’”
Trump looked out over the crowd and solemnly said, “Paris is no longer Paris.”
“So let me state this as clearly as I can, we are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country.” Since he hopes to do so by ending the refugee resettlement program and by banning Muslims travelling from seven war-torn regions, his words cannot be construed as anything but a smear on refugees.
Incidentally, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo happened to be at the Eiffel Tower today for a tourism campaign launch focusing on Disneyland Paris. She tweeted out a picture of herself with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in front of the Eiffel Tower, letting Trump and his friend Jim know that they were enjoying the beauty of Paris:
À Donald et son ami Jim, depuis @LaTourEiffel nous célébrons l'attractivité de #Paris avec Mickey et Minnie. pic.twitter.com/unuRB1traY
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) February 24, 2017
She also pointed out that American tourist reservations in Paris are up 30% from this time last year.
Au 1er semestre 2017, les réservations de touristes américains à #Paris sont en hausse de 30% par rapport à 2016. #Donald&Jim❤️
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) February 24, 2017
In the first quarter of 2017 the number of American tourist reservations in Paris is up 30% on 2016. #Donald&Jim
Even without Jim, France is doing just fine and remains as charmingly French as always.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs wasn’t about to let Mayor Hidalgo have all the fun, so they tweeted out their own jab at Trump:
Other Twitter users have been bullying Trump and Jim for publicly misrepresenting Paris, making America look idiotic on the world stage. Trump’s endless lies designed to shore up his xenophobic policies have to stop, and the best way to stop them is to ruthlessly mock egomaniac Trump.
JE SUIS JIM.
#IStandWithThatSubstantialGuyJim
— Dreamweasel (@Dreamweasel) February 24, 2017
Trump cites "Jim," "a friend," "a pretty substantial guy," who says you can't visit Paris anymore cos it's too dangerous.
— Greg Krieg (@GregJKrieg) February 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/jowrotethis/status/835156781332484097
So @realDonaldTrump said "his friend Jim" told him "Paris is not the same as before." Just came back from there. Maybe Jim meant this Paris? pic.twitter.com/kcJEBxnW8r
— Scoots สกูตเตอร์ (@desertsoleil) February 24, 2017
From now on journalists should just use "My friend Jim" interchangeably with "an unnamed source."
— A.R. Moxon (Julius Goat) (@JuliusGoat) February 24, 2017
My friend Jim can't fit in a Peugeot Coupe. He is a substantial guy. By that I mean linebacker like. Big. #MyFriendJim
— Green Milk Enthusiast (@nathanielhardy) February 24, 2017
We had to dodge bullets to take this, but I took this picture of Paris last time I was there visiting my friend Jim. pic.twitter.com/A6qnTPmpYc
— Pizza with little pizzas as toppings (@StickToPizza) February 24, 2017
Actually, my friend Jim is just my cat. Not very substantial. Can't speak French. Doesn't really travel. #MyFriendJim
— Green Milk Enthusiast (@nathanielhardy) February 24, 2017
#MyFriendJim told me that Sweden is filled with Norwegians. #Trump
— Rob (@angrypooka) February 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Frumpy_Dump/status/835197075738484736
Marisa completed her undergraduate degree in 2013 at the University of Wisconsin with a double major in creative writing and media studies. She is an advocate of progressive policies and focuses her interests on gender equality and preventing sexual and domestic violence.