Macron criticises foreign leaders over AI videos of French riots

President Emmanuel Macron told reporters in Doha on 21 October that foreign leaders made "unacceptable and stupid" comments about riots in France. Macron stated these leaders were influenced by fake videos generated by artificial intelligence to rally political supporters. He said some claimed France was "invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists," which he called "totally false."

The comments followed unrest on 17 October that occurred alongside peaceful demonstrations by more than 500,000 people against the cost of living. Al Jazeera reported at least 2,500 arrests after shops were looted and public buildings were set on fire. These events followed four weeks of student protests that closed many schools.

US President Donald Trump stated the events in France relate to immigration and described Marine Le Pen as a "conservative voice." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said France had been hit by an "invasion of extremist Islam." Macron stated he saw no "foreign interference" in the events but noted "foreign manipulation of information" in the aftermath.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated on X that the unrest justifies Hungary's strict migration policies. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot offered to help countries understand the situation to prevent the spread of false information.

Authorities imposed nighttime curfews on 20 and 21 October in Paris and other cities. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pledged a "massive deployment" of police and military for protests planned for 25 October. Macron stated he would meet intelligence officials on 22 October to review the 17 October unrest.

Le Monde reported that the first trials for looting took place on 21 October in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Most defendants received suspended sentences, which were more lenient than the requests from prosecutors.