U.S. President Donald Trump toured the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday before attending a private dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron [1].
The meeting serves as a diplomatic effort to reduce recent friction between the United States and France [2]. By hosting the visit at one of France's most opulent landmarks, Macron sought to foster a more cooperative relationship with the American leader [2].
During the tour of the palace, President Trump focused on the intricate golden decor of the estate [3]. The visit included a walkthrough of the palace interiors, where the U.S. president expressed admiration for the scale and luxury of the venue [1].
"Versailles is the real deal," Trump said [4].
President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron hosted the event, which was described as a high-stakes gathering [4]. The dinner took place amid preparations that required the temporary closure of the palace to the general public [5]. Some tourists expressed disappointment over the closure as the venue was secured for the two heads of state [5].
While the official program focused on the grandeur of the site, the underlying goal of the evening was to manage the volatile nature of the current transatlantic relationship [2]. The dinner provided a private setting for the leaders to discuss bilateral issues away from the public eye [1].
“"Versailles is the real deal"”
This visit represents a strategic use of 'soft power' by the French government. By utilizing the Palace of Versailles, President Macron attempted to appeal to President Trump's known appreciation for luxury and prestige to create a more favorable environment for diplomatic negotiations and to mitigate geopolitical tensions.
