French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for linking immigration to recent violence in France.

Macron directly accused Trump of spreading misinformation about France and exploiting it for American elections.

On the 21st (local time), while touring the Middle East, Macron was asked by a reporter whether there were signs of foreign intervention in the recent violent incidents in France.

While stating there is no visible evidence of foreign intervention in the incidents themselves, Macron claimed that information manipulation by foreign actors clearly exists.

He pointed out that various figures, including foreign leaders, are making "foolish and unacceptable comments."

In particular, he revealed that AI-generated images depicting scenes that never actually happened in France have been spreading online.

He also drew a firm line against claims that France has been invaded by migrants and Islamists, calling them "completely false."

Although he did not cite specific examples, it is interpreted that he was referring to fake images such as the top of the Eiffel Tower covered with a Palestinian flag.

When reporters asked if the remarks were aimed at President Trump, Macron replied that he was "one of several people, including him."

He added, "It is in moments like this that it becomes clear who loves France and who does not."

Asked if that meant President Trump does not love France, he said, "One has no choice but to judge it that way."

Macron also argued that some foreign politicians are using France as a scapegoat for their election campaigns.

In particular, he pointed out that leaders facing elections across the Atlantic are politically exploiting the situation in France by believing in AI-generated illusions or spreading manipulated information.

This is interpreted as a jab at President Trump, who faces the U.S. midterm elections next month, and his supporting MAGA faction.

Previously, President Trump mentioned recent violence in France, making remarks to the effect that "Paris will soon become a Muslim city" and "immigrants are the root of the problem."

(Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Jang Yujin | Graphics by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News)