Macron hosts Trump at Versailles for U.S. 250th-birthday dinner

French President Emmanuel Macron opened the Palace of Versailles to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday for a private reception, show and dinner celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday. The event, held in the Hall of Mirrors and the palace gardens, was intended to reinforce personal contacts as the two leaders navigate differences over Iran, Ukraine and trade issues.

Macron said Versailles serves as “a diplomatic tool and an instrument of influence,” likening diplomatic efforts to a soccer match where the goal is to score points and provide a welcoming environment for guests. He added that the setting allows France to employ “soft-power flex based on hard buildings.”

Trump praised the venue, describing Versailles as “the real deal” and noting his appreciation for “beautiful places.” He arrived for the dinner after being persuaded by Macron, whom he called “a very nice man,” to stay longer than originally planned.

The palace has a long history of hosting foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017 and the British monarchs in recent years. Scholars noted that such pageantry offers France a rare lever of influence, given its limited economic and military sway over Washington.

Critics in France warned that the spectacle does not guarantee policy concessions, pointing to recent tensions such as Trump’s threat of steep tariffs on French wine and Champagne and divergent positions on the war in Iran. Far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon said, “We must learn once and for all to live without Trump.”