Bulwark Takes: "Macron and France Have Some Strong Words for Trump" – Episode Summary

Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Featuring Tim Miller and Claire Berlinski)

1. Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller engages in a compelling discussion with Claire Berlinski, author of the Cosmopolitan Globalist on Substack. Broadcasting from Marrakesh, Berlinski provides a French perspective on recent geopolitical developments, particularly focusing on French President Emmanuel Macron's critical stance towards former U.S. President Donald Trump.

2. Macron's Primetime Address

Tim Miller opens the conversation by referencing a significant primetime address delivered by Emmanuel Macron to the French nation. The speech tackled two pivotal issues regarding the United States' support and the looming threat from Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.

Notable Quote:
Emmanuel Macron (00:41):
"I want to believe that the US will stand by our side, but we have to be ready for that not to be the case. Whether we reach peace in Ukraine soon or not, we need to recognize the Russian threat and better defend ourselves to deter such attacks. Whatever happens, we need to provide ourselves with more arms, more equipment in terms of defense."

3. Europe's Reaction and Vulnerability

Claire Berlinski articulates the shock and sense of betrayal felt across Europe following Macron's remarks. She emphasizes that Macron's speech was an attempt to reassure French citizens about national defense capabilities, particularly nuclear deterrence, in light of uncertain U.S. support.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (01:29):
"Everyone in Europe is stunned, absolutely stunned. The speech was an effort to reassure that we have a nuclear weapon here, ensuring that the Russians aren't actually going to invade us tomorrow."
Tim Miller (07:29):
"Macron says, our nuclear deterrence protects us. It is complete sovereign. It's French from end to end. This protects us much more than many of our neighbors."

4. Macron’s Strategic Positioning

Berlinski delves into Macron's broader strategy of advocating for a European revival in defense and diminishing reliance on the United States. She draws parallels to historical French skepticism towards American leadership, noting Macron's efforts to position France as a more autonomous European power.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (05:14):
"Macron is trying to position himself as the leader in Europe of a European revival. It's very natural for him to say, 'We can't fully trust the Americans anymore,' reflecting a long-standing French tradition of seeking autonomy in defense."

She further highlights the implications of Macron's stance, questioning the functionality of NATO without robust U.S. involvement and expressing concern over the potential collapse of the traditional Franco-American alliance.

5. European Right-Wing Politics and Russian Influence

The discussion shifts to the reactions within Europe’s political landscape, specifically addressing right-wing factions and their responses to Macron's stance. Berlinski mentions Claude Malhury, a centrist from the Horizons Party, who openly criticized Trump, labeling him a traitor.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (08:32):
"Claude Malhury explicitly calls Trump a traitor. His speech has been noticed throughout Europe and is viewed as appropriate, which is shocking in itself but also fitting."

Berlinski expresses concern over the influence of Russian disinformation and American-fueled far-right movements infiltrating European politics, which could potentially destabilize the region further.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (10:55):
"My worst fear is that the combination of Russian influence operations and American ones could bring these ghastly parties to power. And then that's it. Then it's game over."

6. Impact on French Domestic Politics

Addressing Macron's domestic standing, Berlinski notes his unpopularity in France despite his pivotal role in European defense discourse. She speculates that while Macron might experience a temporary boost in approval ratings due to his leadership during this crisis, his overall unpopularity remains a significant challenge.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (12:56):
"Macron is a lame duck and he is widely loathed. This might be a good moment for him, perhaps slightly improving his polls, but he has not been a popular president here."

She also touches upon internal French policies that continue to challenge Macron's standing, such as legislation affecting bakers, indicating ongoing domestic tensions.

7. Concluding Insights

As the conversation wraps up, both host and guest reflect on the gravity of the current geopolitical climate. Berlinski underscores the unprecedented nature of Trump's unpredictable policies and Macron's assertive response as a critical juncture for Europe.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (07:50):
"What's happened is utterly unimaginable. There's been no planning for this scenario ever in the history of NATO. The American president being a Manchurian candidate—it's not what anyone thought was possible."
Tim Miller (13:57):
"There is a history of people that were not that popular domestically, though, rising to moments at times like this. So, there's something a lot of people are made of."

Berlinski concludes with a cautious optimism, hoping that Europe can navigate these turbulent times without succumbing to far-right extremism or foreign manipulation.

Notable Quote:
Claire Berlinski (13:59):
"If Europe understands the gravity of this situation, they might avoid placing far-left or far-right parties in power in future elections."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a nuanced analysis of Macron's recent address and its implications for France and Europe as a whole. Through Claire Berlinski's insightful commentary, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the shifting dynamics in international alliances, the challenges facing European unity, and the internal political struggles that could shape the continent's future.

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