French president Emmanuel Macron seems to be thoroughly enjoying his time in Washington. Honored with the first official state visit to the United States, Macron and American president Donald Trump had a very busy schedule on their first day together. Thanks to Macron’s very active Twitter account, we know a little bit more about what went on during the day besides official events.
1:30pm. The red carpet was (literally) rolled out for the French president and the first lady. The duo was treated to “La Marseillaise,” played by an American military band, before Macron took the microphone to express his excitement to be in the United States, and his hopes for the visit.
Brigitte and I are thrilled and honored to be in Washington DC.
This State visit is very important for our people. pic.twitter.com/QDBhTzedB0— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 23, 2018
2:15pm. Ever presenting himself as a man of the people, Macron decided to take a walk on the streets of the capital before going to the White House.
Au Lincoln Mémorial. Les États-Unis et la France partagent une longue histoire et ont mené des révolutions en commun pour défendre la liberté et la démocratie. À nous d’être à la hauteur de notre histoire. pic.twitter.com/qDv5lc1rpR
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 23, 2018
(“At the Lincoln memorial. The United States and France share a long history, we have led revolutions together to defend freedom and democracy. It is our turn to live up to the example set by our history.”)
Macron met with the “French team” working in Washington.
Début de visite d’État aux Etats-Unis avec « l’équipe France ». On ne relèvera pas les défis d’aujourd’hui sans une collaboration étroite entre Français et Américains.
Alors que l’ordre mondial est aujourd’hui bousculé, notre responsabilité est de tenir ferme, ensemble ! pic.twitter.com/7MHUCY0ghj— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 23, 2018
5:15pm. Macron and Brigitte arrive at the White House. Trump and First Lady Melania gave the French pair a tour of the oval office.
https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelMacron/videos/2148992055333369/
5:30pm. As he told America in his Fox News interview on Sunday, Macron gifted Trump an oak tree from the north of France, which the two planted together on the South Lawn with the First Ladies.
100 years ago, American soldiers fought in France, in Belleau to defend our freedom. This oak tree (my gift to @realDonaldTrump) will be a reminder at the White House of these ties that bind us. pic.twitter.com/AUdVncaKRN
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2018
The French and American peoples have always fought side by side to defend common values. That is the meaning behind the gift I gave @realDonaldTrump. Discover the story of the Belleau oak tree (now at the White House): pic.twitter.com/jzPNstyFNT
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2018
6:10pm. Finally, the presidents and their wives took a military helicopter to nearby Mount Vernon for a private dinner.
Merci @realDonaldTrump, @FLOTUS, pour ce dîner dans les pas de nos ancêtres Washington et Lafayette.
Ils savaient déjà que la démocratie valait la peine qu’on se batte pour elle. pic.twitter.com/HWVuZKnXTy— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2018
Dans la demeure de Washington à Mount Vernon nous avons vu la clef de la Bastille envoyée par Lafayette. C’est un symbole de ce lien indéfectible. pic.twitter.com/4AqNX8BAc8
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2018
Day two of the state visit continues with a press conference on the White House lawn and an official state dinner this evening.
