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The President had been due to visit the Aisne-Marne cemetery and memorial outside Paris on Saturday, where more than 2,000 soldiers are buried. During World War 1, US troops were involved in
a crucial battle at the nearby Belleau Wood where they suffered nearly 10,000 casualties. But Donald Trump's the planned visit was cancelled just hours before due to rainy conditions
in the area. For safety reasons, the US President’s Marine One helicopter in not allowed to fly in heavy rain or fog. But following a series of tweets where he furiously set his sights on
French President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Trump hit out at the criticism he has faced and explained his reasons for not attending. He added he also made a speech to commemorate US soldiers killed
in battle at the Suresnes American Cemetery in Paris the following day during continued heavy rain. Mr Trump wrote: "By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery
in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. “Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetery in pouring
rain! “Little reported-Fake News!” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders had released a statement saying that to get Mr Trump to the monument on time would have meant closing
“substantial portions of the Paris roadways on short notice”. She claimed the President decided not to “cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people”. But his decision
not to attend the service was still quickly criticised from across the political spectrum. Referring to the Nazi occupation of southern France during World War 2, Mr Trump argued France
should remember what the US did to defend Mr Macron's country rather than branding it as a threat. He wrote: "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe
against the US, China and Russia. "But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S.
came along. Pay for NATO or not!"
