Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Emmanuel Macron Offering ‘Refugee Status’ to U.S. Liberals Is Fake News

Wikimedia Commons


Reports that French President Emmanuel Macron offered “refugee status” to U.S. liberals are false. While Macron did extend an invitation to specific groups of Americans, it was not for refugee status.


According to Snopes, the fake claim originated on LifeZette, a conservative news and opinion website. The article claimed that, in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the Paris climate accord, Macron was offering refugee status to those who did not agree with the choice to withdraw. It purported:


French President Emmanuel Macron is offering refuge to American liberals upset at President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.


In a video posted to Twitter, speaking in English, Macron said:


“I wish to tell the United States: France believes in you. The world believes in you. I know that you are a great nation. I know your history, our common history.”


While the above quote is real, it has nothing to do with Macron offering refugee status to Americans. In a video message, Macron was actually extending scientists and engineers the opportunity to work in France and develop “concrete solutions for our climate” after Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement.


“To all scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision of the president of the United States, I want to say that they will find in France a second homeland,” Macron said. “Come and work here, with us, to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment. I can assure you, France will not give up the fight.”




Macron further criticized Trump’s decision in a series of tweets. “Climate change is already changing our daily lives. It’s not the future we want for our world,” Macron tweeted on Thursday. “I do respect President Trump’s decision but I think it’s a mistake for our planet.” Additionally, Macron tweeted a “Make Our Planet Great Again” graphic, a twist on Trump’s signature campaign slogan that he has continued to use as president. Macron again used the phrase on World Environment Day.




Last Thursday, Trump officially announced that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. “We’re getting out,” he said. “And we will start to renegotiate and we’ll see if there’s a better deal. If we can, great. If we can’t, that’s fine.” He also claimed that the accord punished the U.S. and put “financial burdens on the American people,” according to CNN. The withdrawal process will not conclude until November 2020.


Here are some examples of people sharing the fake story on social media:


Social Media Shares Fake Story about Emmanuel Macron Offering “Refugee Status” to U.S. Liberals














Have you seen the fake story about Emmanuel Macron offering “refugee status” to U.S. liberals circulating social media? What are your thoughts on Macron’s response to Trump’s decision? Sound off in the comments section below!


Photo credit: Pablo Tupin-Noriega, Wikimedia Commons



Source: B2C
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