As the dust settles from Donald Trump’s election win, analysts are gearing up to dissect every facet of his rise to power. From his fiery rhetoric to his unconventional leadership style, Trump’s victory has sparked a deep conversation that is bound to stretch across political and geographical lines. Eric Ciotti, a prominent French political figure, believes that Trump’s campaign holds valuable lessons for the French right, particularly when it comes to defending freedom and national identity.
Trump’s Message: A Lesson for the French Right
In his analysis, Ciotti draws parallels between the forces behind Trump’s election and the challenges facing France today. According to Ciotti, Trump’s rise represents more than just a political victory; it embodies a defiant stand against political correctness and “wokeness,” ideologies that many believe threaten the very fabric of Western civilization. This fight, says Ciotti, resonates with voters who feel the weight of mass immigration, socialism, and an overreaching government.
For the French right, Trump’s approach offers a clear and uncompromising lesson: to succeed, one must defend core values—such as freedom and national identity—without hesitation or compromise. During his campaign, Trump’s rallying cry to “preserve our freedoms” stood as a stark opposition to a federal state that had grown bloated and intrusive under the leadership of the Democratic Party.
Trump’s focus on cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and dismantling ineffective government agencies resonates deeply with Ciotti, who argues that France’s own oversized and inefficient state mirrors the problems Trump addressed in America. “France is sinking under a nearly bankrupt state that stifles its citizens with excessive taxes and regulations,” Ciotti notes, urging for a “shock of freedoms”—a radical restructuring that would reduce the size of government and give more power back to local authorities.
Ciotti believes that a comprehensive tax reduction for individuals and businesses is essential for France to regain its prosperity and sovereignty. Much like Trump, he sees a bold vision for France’s future—a vision that contrasts sharply with the failed policies of the past.
Rejecting the “Triangulation” Approach
One of the most critical points Ciotti raises is the failure of the French right to break free from the political establishment’s obsession with “triangulation.” This strategy, favored by many political analysts and strategists in France, focuses on blurring ideological lines to appeal to a so-called middle ground. For Ciotti, this approach is self-defeating. By diluting values in an attempt to win over voters from both sides, the right risks losing its core identity and failing to inspire the electorate.
Trump’s campaign, in contrast, was unapologetically direct. He did not mold his message to win over the center but instead stood firm in his principles, solidifying a loyal base of voters who longed for a change. This strategy, Ciotti argues, allowed Trump to rally those who had been ignored or alienated by traditional political elites.
In France, the right’s tendency to compromise and try to appeal to the left has undermined its credibility, says Ciotti. “By trying to be everything to everyone, we end up convincing no one,” he asserts. For the French right to succeed, Ciotti believes it must be steadfast in its values and clear in its message, rather than chasing an elusive, and ultimately ineffective, consensus.
Building a Clear Vision for France
In the wake of France’s recent elections, Ciotti is optimistic that the right can rise above its current fragmentation. He points to the coalition between his party and the National Rally, a move he believes signals a shift toward a more values-driven, unified right. This coalition, centered on work, security, and tradition, represents a sharp contrast to the weak, compromising approach that has plagued the French right for too long.
“Trump’s victory proves that a bold, grounded right—proud of its identity and principles—can resonate with voters and unite them under a common cause,” says Ciotti. It is this vision—a France that is free, proud, and sovereign—that he believes will unite voters and ultimately lead to a more prosperous future for the country.
For the French right, Ciotti’s message is clear: it is time to stop catering to the whims of the center and start defending the values that truly matter. By doing so, he believes the right can inspire a new generation of voters and chart a path to reclaiming the future of France.
