Underscoring the widening chasm between the Trump administration and “old Europe,” President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to deliver a blistering rebuke of France’s refusal to support allied operations against the Iranian regime.
The president’s message was characteristically blunt and served as a clear warning to Paris: “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,” Trump posted. “France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT.”
Trump’s ire comes as the United States and Israel continue military operations targeting Iran. European allies have taken varying positions, with the Macron government allegedly denying U.S. military flights headed for Israel access to French airspace.
French President Emmanuel Macron has even ruled out participating in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most vital oil artery — insisting that France is “not party to the conflict.”
Israel has responded to France’s stance with cold pragmatism. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Ministry of Defense Director-General Amir Baram have issued directives to cease all new defense purchases from France. While existing contracts will be honored, the Israeli defense establishment is shifting its focus toward domestic production and “friendly suppliers” who, they say, don’t play both sides.
🚨🇮🇱🇫🇷 Israel has decided to halt all security procurement from France, an Israeli official told @Jerusalem_Post.
The decision to stop the purchases was made under the directive of Defense Minister Israel Katz and Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram. Apart from existing…
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) March 31, 2026
France isn’t the only European power limiting support. Spain has similarly restricted certain U.S. military flights, while Italy recently denied U.S. bombers permission to use an air base in Sicily.
As the Trump administration continues to dismantle the Iranian terror apparatus, the reluctance of European allies to provide even basic logistical support brings to mind the famous 2003 quip from former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jed Babbin: “Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind.”
Trump’s “The U.S.A. will remember” serves as a definitive signal: the era when America footed the bill for European security while those same nations obstructed American interests is over.
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