French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes the designated US President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Selenskyj.

DLNews History:

It was a scene that could only unfold in the City of Light: the grand reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral after years of painstaking restoration. The historic event drew global leaders, dazzling luminaries, and yes, a touch of drama—courtesy of Donald Trump, the soon-to-be 47th President of the United States. 

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes the designated US President, Donald Trump, in Paris with a firm handshake and a thumbs-up.

Among the glittering attendees were French President Emmanuel Macron and British royal Prince William, who joined nearly 50 heads of state and dignitaries to celebrate the triumph of Notre Dame's rebirth. However, one notable absence loomed large: President Joe Biden, citing scheduling conflicts, skipped the event. 

Macron welcomes the soon-to-be US President against a Christmas backdrop. First, a firm handshake...

Trump’s Presidential Prowess on Display 

If there was ever a stage to play the part, Trump took it. Arriving fashionably late for a meeting with Macron, the delay appeared less accidental and more calculated. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the table, what had been billed as separate one-on-ones morphed into an impromptu three-way summit. 

... then a warm hug

“This was no coincidence,” murmured insiders close to the event, hinting at the strategic choreography behind the scenes. For Trump, this was not merely a diplomatic moment but an audition for his return to the world stage. 

Notre Dame: A Triumph of Resilience 

The real star of the evening, however, was Notre Dame itself. The cathedral’s newly restored façade glowed under Parisian lights, an awe-inspiring testament to French craftsmanship and cultural resilience. As the bells tolled again, the world watched with admiration and joy. 

Trump, meanwhile, couldn’t resist taking a victory lap, mingling with attendees and gesturing grandly as if presiding over a kingdom. And with his domestic agenda already in overdrive—naming cabinet members, threatening tariffs, and outlining bold (if controversial) foreign policy moves—he seemed determined to hit the ground running before even stepping foot in the Oval Office. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, upon his arrival at the Elysée Palace.

The World Watches: Allies and Adversaries Take Note 

In his typical flair, Trump has made clear his intentions on everything from the Ukraine conflict to Middle Eastern hostages. Newly appointed special envoy Keith Kellogg will spearhead negotiations over Ukraine, while businessman Adam Boehler will take on the role of hostage envoy, both facing immense challenges. 

“Hellish consequences” were promised to Hamas unless hostages were released—a blunt but familiar approach from the former president. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surprisedly visited Mar-a-Lago to address Trump’s looming tariff threats. 

As polls show Trump surging to 54% approval, he has cemented his position as a global force to reckon with—whether celebrated or criticized. The Notre Dame spectacle was not merely a reopening but a coronation for a man already acting the part. 

With the cathedral as its backdrop, Paris offers a striking blend of history and the makings of a new chapter in global politics. The bells of Notre Dame ring out for its renaissance and perhaps for Trump’s.