‘Whoever is the toughest on radical Islamic terrorism, and whoever is the toughest at the borders, will do well in the election’
Ahead of closest presidential race in memory, US president says shooting will boost far-right candidate, but notes he’s not endorsing her
April 21, 2017, 10:21 pm
A composite image showing French presidential candidate and Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, left, (AFP/Lionel Bonaventure) and US President Donald Trump, right (AP/Alex Brandon).
President Donald Trump waded into France’s upcoming elections Friday, saying he believes an attack on police officers this week will help Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidate.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Trump said that while he is not explicitly endorsing Le Pen, the attack played to her strengths.
“She’s the strongest on borders, and she’s the strongest on what’s been going on in France,” Trump said in the Oval Office interview. “Whoever is the toughest on radical Islamic terrorism, and whoever is the toughest at the borders, will do well in the election.”
