In the Senate, Claude Malhuret trashes Donald Trump and denounces “MAGA America”
- To understand Claude Malhuret’s criticism of Trump’s presidency.
- To uncover accusations of conflicts of interest and degradation of institutions.
- To analyze the unique position of a French senator in the face of American politics.
The tone went up a notch in the Senate on Wednesday March 25. During a debate on the Middle East, Claude Malhuretpresident of the group Les Indépendants, delivered a speech of rare virulence against Donald Trump, painting a portrait of an America where, according to him, institutions are teetering under the weight of private interests (see video below).
“I was wrong, it’s the court of miracles”
From the first sentences, the senator himself corrects a past comparison :“A year ago here, I compared the Trump presidency to the court of Nero. I was wrong, it’s the court of miracles. » A scathing formula, which sets the tone of a speech where irony serves radical political criticism.
A government team made fun of
Claude Malhuret then attacks Donald Trump’s entourage head-on, which he describes as a succession of contradictions: “An anti-vaxxer, former heroin addict and Minister of Health, a climate skeptic Minister of Ecology, an alcoholic TV host Minister of the Armed Forces, a former agent of Qatar, Minister of Justice, a Putin groupie, Minister of National Security. »
Behind the charge, a clear accusation: that of a power which, according to him, turns its back on all demands for competence and consistency.
“The palace becomes a circus”
To illustrate what he considers to be a degradation of power, he cites a Turkish proverb:“When a clown settles in a palace, he does not become king. It is the palace that becomes a circus. » An image which sums up, in his mind, the transformation of American institutions under the Trump era.
A military strategy accused of diversion
The senator goes further by denouncing a foreign policy that he considers opportunistic: “Since his peace council existed, Trump has launched more military strikes than Biden during his entire term. » And to add :“Every time the Epstein affair resurfaces, bombs explode somewhere in the world and create a diversion. Bomb more to earn more. »
A serious accusation, which suggests an instrumentalization of conflicts for internal political purposes.
Private interests at the heart of power
Claude Malhuret also calls into question what he describes as repeated conflicts of interest: “There is not a country where Trump has not taken advantage of the situation to enrich himself without ever forgetting his family. » He mentions in particular:“Personal Boeing offered by Qatar, investment in all projects in the Gulf or elsewhere, manipulation of stock prices from which a few insiders benefit. »
Before deciding: “Just one of these conflicts of interest would have provoked immediate impeachment proceedings here. »
“We are in MAGA America”
The senator’s conclusion is clear: “But we are not here. We are in MAGA America. The conduct of public affairs in the service of private interests. » A frontal indictment against Donald Trump, but also, beyond that, against a political model that Claude Malhuret considers deeply misguided.
A rare word in a timid political landscape
Beyond the substance, the scope of this intervention also lies in its singularity. In a context where part of the French political class is often cautious, even complacent, towards Donald Trump, hearing such a direct voice contrasts sharply with the usual diplomatic restraint. This statement therefore appears to be rare and, in many respects, courageous: that of a political leader who takes responsibility for directly naming what he perceives as deviations, whereas others prefer to stick to more consensual formulas. A contrast which questions the relationship of French policy to international balance of power – and its capacity to speak as an equal with Washington.
In the Senate, Claude Malhuret trashes Donald Trump and denounces “MAGA America”
When a clown settles in a palace, he does not become king. It is the palace that becomes a circus. “. A must see § pic.twitter.com/Z0AEgVY2Ve
— Oumma.com (@oumma) March 27, 2026
Speech in full:
