The French first lady helps keep Trump and Biden apart at Notre Dame

The French first lady helps keep Trump and Biden apart at Notre Dame

French officials solved an awkward seating dilemma at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday by placing first lady Brigitte Macron in the front row at the ceremony between US President-elect Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s wife and daughter.

The presence of Trump and the outgoing president’s family gave protocol planners a headache so soon after one of the bitterest election campaigns in U.S. history.

Trump consistently mocked Biden as “Sleepy Joe,” while Biden called Trump a “threat to democracy” and said on the eve of the Nov. 5 vote that he thought he was a “fascist.”

The future 47th president was treated as a guest of honor in Paris on Saturday and was immediately given the seat to the right of French President Emmanuel Macron in the front row of the congregation.

Jill Biden, who represented the outgoing president, and the couple’s daughter, Ashley, also sat in the front row, but were separated from Trump by Brigitte.

President Biden, 82, decided against a trip to Paris and appeared visibly tired as he made the historic first visit by a U.S. leader to Angola in southern Africa on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Before the ceremony began, the First Lady of the United States and Trump briefly sat alone and exchanged pleasantries.

As Trump entered the cathedral, he made his trademark raised fist gesture – immortalized when he survived an assassination attempt in July.

He wore an unusual yellow tie and paused briefly to speak to Prince William, heir to the British throne, before taking his seat.

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