Analyse
Macron’s statement was widely reported by credible media outlets at the time, including *The Guardian*, *BBC*, and *The New York Times*. The phrase was part of a speech delivered in English on June 1, 2017, where he explicitly referenced Trump’s decision and repurposed his campaign slogan to advocate for global climate action. Video footage and official transcripts from the Élysée Palace confirm the wording and context. The statement was also tied to a French initiative offering grants to climate researchers to relocate to France.
Achtergrond
On June 1, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark international accord aimed at limiting global warming. Macron, then newly elected French president, responded with a speech in English at the Élysée Palace, critiquing Trump’s decision and positioning France as a leader in climate science and policy. The phrase was a deliberate rhetorical counter to Trump’s 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) slogan, reframing it as a call for global environmental cooperation.
Samenvatting verdict
Emmanuel Macron did use the phrase 'Make our planet great again' in 2017 as a direct response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, playing on Trump’s 'Make America Great Again' slogan.