Staff Reports
Over the weekend, Donald Trump took a break from the drama of American politics and trotted off to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, a site that had been off-limits for five long years due to fire damage. This was no ordinary visit—Trump’s presence there was a clear signal that America’s place on the world stage is not just a distant memory. While the current president, Joe Biden, was out of sight and mind, Trump was mingling with global leaders like a natural, even sharing a few words with First Lady Jill Biden. It seems that while Joe and Kamala were apparently busy with other things (like what, exactly?), the world was ready to embrace the return of Trump as a figure of leadership.
CNN’s Scott Jennings put it bluntly during a Saturday night segment: Trump may not officially be in the Oval Office yet, but he is already commanding more respect internationally than the sitting president. With visuals of Trump engaging with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flashing across screens, the narrative was clear: America’s leadership had shifted, and the world was noticing. Jennings didn’t hold back in contrasting this bustling diplomatic atmosphere with Biden’s recent, more subdued jet-setting tour of Africa, where it would seem he chose to dodge the press while Jill snagged the limelight.
Folks forgot what it was like to have a strong American president. Trump’s visit to France lets the world know that America is back, baby. https://t.co/36izBrxqGW
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) December 7, 2024
This language of “one president at a time” was tossed around by the left, but it’s difficult to ignore the power dynamics at play. Biden’s underwhelming performances, from a hair-raising tree-lighting ceremony to his safari-style press avoidance, left the door wide open for Trump. Jennings was right when he said it felt like the country had been without a truly functioning president for quite some time. The general sentiment is welcoming the return of someone who projects strength, which is sorely missed in current leadership.
The reopening of Notre Dame wasn’t just an architectural milestone; it had considerable cultural weight for Catholics and Christians worldwide. A curious absence of Biden was noted, especially considering his supposed devoutness. Meanwhile, Trump was front and center in a moment that symbolized not only resurrection for the beloved cathedral but perhaps a resurrection of American prominence as well. Jennings pointed out the importance of Trump’s attendance at such a moment—not only for what it represents to religious Americans but how it displays a firm hand on the world stage, something the previous administration severely lacked.
In fact, Trump’s European escapade was merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of showcasing American leadership. The contrast is striking: Biden’s bumbling attempts at international diplomacy have often bordered on disastrous—like when he forgot to be in a group photo at the G20 just last month. Jennings happily noted that with Trump preparing to inherit the mantle of power in January, things could only get better. A more active presidency is on the horizon, without any signs of the political couch-sitting that has dominated the last few years.
With the rest of the world seemingly ready to engage with Trump now, even before his official inauguration, it’s clear there’s an appetite for a strong, proactive leader. The world has moved on, and it looks as if they are eager to embrace what Trump has to offer—bold moves, decisive actions, and a willingness to shake things up. As narratives shift and the world watches, it begs the question: what will the next chapter of U.S. leadership under Trump look like, and will the world be left wishing for a stronger, bolder American presence?
