O’Reilly: US could become ‘France on steroids’

Political commentator Bill O’Reilly on Monday predicted that the U.S. could have its own protests similar to those that have broken out in recent weeks across France and other parts of Europe, but “on steroids.”

“On Balance” host Leland Vittert asked O’Reilly on NewsNation, The Hill’s broadcast partner, about seeming to be worried about greater ramifications if President Trump cannot address issues like the cost of living.

“I’m not worried about the individuals, I’m worried about the country because if the voters in the country are this dumb, that they don’t know what’s coming around a pike –– oh my God, we’re in for France on steroids, we’re gonna be France if this continues,” the former Fox News host said.

O’Reilly added that he does not expect the president to change course, saying “that’s not what he does.”

“I believe most Americans have made up their minds,” he continued. “There is going to be the crew that hates Trump and the crew that likes Trump. And –– isn’t this interesting –– this midterm is going to be about Trump. That’s what it’s going to be about.”

France has seen waves of protests and rioting after more than 400,000 people took to the streets. University students marched to challenge what they say are worsening school conditions and the cost of living, with that frustration boiling over into clashes with police.

Marches saw some peaceful demonstrations, but French law enforcement have arrested about 2,400 people in connection with some of the violence and looting.

French Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste on Monday pledged to make “substantial change,” with ministers pledging 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in loans for school renovations, smaller classes, more job opportunities for teachers and for more student grants. But the deadline for these changes, in 2028, lands just after French President Emmanuel Macron leaves office.

The National Rally party, the political faction belonging to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, has sought to make the unrest stirred by these conditions a part of her presidential campaign. Polling shows Le Pen leading ahead of the country’s first round of voting in April.

American officials like Trump and Vice President Vance have blamed the protests on mass migration from the Middle East and Africa to Europe. Trump has attempted to tie these protests to what he claims could happen in the U.S. if Democrats win majorities in Congress after the midterm elections.

Macron told reporters last week that such suggestions made by leaders in the U.S. or right-wing leaders in Europe were “ unacceptable and even stupid .”

“For me, there is no visible foreign interference in the events that took place,” Macron said in Doha, Qatar, according to Al Jazeera. “On the other hand, there was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders.”