President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are attending a ceremony in Paris commemorating the cessation of hostilities in World War One.
They skipped an arrival ceremony at the residence of the French president and did walk down the Champs Elysee with other world leaders. The first couple of the United States traveled to the Arc de Triomphe in Trump’s bullet-proof limousine, where they remained until after visiting leaders and France’s Macron lined up on stage.
As President Trump was arriving at the unity ceremony in Paris on Sunday, a topless woman threw herself at the president’s motorcade as it pulled up to the Arc de Triomphe in protest of the American president.
First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrive in the rain for the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday
Right to Left: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brigitte Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump
Several minutes later he and Melania arrived under separate umbrellas, the president in a black suit and red tie and the first lady in a grey dress and matching overcoat.
President Trump greeted President Macron and took his place nearby in the front row of a riser in front of the arc. His entry was dovetailed by the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who shook Trump’s hand and gave him a thumbs up before taking his own seat to Macron’s right.
The leaders are participating in a centennial celebration of Armistice Day, honored in Europe annually on Nov. 11. The holiday is marked by Veteran’s Day in America.
Bells tolled in Paris in remembrance of the cessation of fighting at 11 am on Nov. 11, 1918 in Compiègne, France.
World leaders including Donald Trump greet Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives for the ceremony
The armored limousine known as ‘The Beast’ carrying US president arrives ahead of the ceremony
The United States entered the war on April 6, 1917 in response to a declaration of war request against Germany from President Woodrow Wilson.
A year and a half later, the war ended, but Europe was again thrown into chaos two decades later with WWII, when America also fought alongside France.
The two sides have become close allies and Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel entered the ceremony in Paris as part of a united front after participating in a commemorative event alongside one another the day before.
After the event, President Trump will visit Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, where he will deliver traditional Veteran’s Day remarks. He is scheduled to depart for the United States after that.
Trump called off a a trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial on Saturday after a bad weather call grounded Marine One.
He and first lady Melania Trump had planned to visit the memorial for American marines near the Belleau Wood battlefield on Saturday afternoon, however their program was nixed at the last minute due to a storm that would have prevented them from helicoptering to the site that’s more than an hour’s drive from Paris.
Despite the heavy security presence a topless female protester was able to break through near the President’s motorcade
Trump caused controversy on Saturday after his trip to the Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial was called off because of the rain
‘The President and First Lady’s trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,’ the White House said.
‘An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.’
The site honors the 4th Marine Brigade of the United States Army’s 2nd Division and an attack it led on the Germans on June 6, 1918 that liberated the Bouresches.
The 5th and 6th Marine Regiments also fought in Belleau Wood that month, with hostilities ending 20 days later on June 26.
According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 8,100 soldiers died in the wooded area near Belleau, France that month.
Trump came under immediate scrutiny for skipping the trip and was compared to Canada’s Justin Trudeau who last year visited monuments in France under a steady downpour.