Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Donald Trump Just Offered Up His Advice on Extinguishing the Notre Dame Fire and No One Wants to Hear It

Donald Trump Just Offered Up His Advice on Extinguishing the Notre Dame Fire and No One Wants to Hear It
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images

Not the time.

The historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris became engulfed in flames Monday evening as the world's 1.2 billion Catholics begin celebrating Easter week.

Construction began in 1163 and took almost two centuries to complete. Nearly 900 years of history crumbled before the world's eyes in mere seconds. Twelve million tourists visit the medieval church every year.


So when President Donald Trump felt the need to chime in, tweeting that firefighters should employ "flying water tankers" to quench the blaze, Twitter was having none of it.

The internet responded: STFU.

Trump demonstrated his fire expertise last fall when he suggested that a lack of raking causes forest fires.

Trump also credited "bad environmental laws" and water being "diverted into the Pacific Ocean" for the rash of wildfires that swept through California.

Stay in your lane, Donald.

The blaze began around 7 p.m. (France time) in a section of roof that was undergoing renovations. The 750-ton spire in the center of the structure - added right over the altar in the 1860s - collapsed roughly an hour later as the flames continued to spread.

The rest of the roof imploded shortly thereafter, according to eyewitnesses. An investigation has been opened to determine what sparked the inferno at the world's preeminent example of French Gothic architecture.

Cathedral officials said that the interior wooden framework and iconic stained glass are completely destroyed and there are efforts underway by first responders to salvage irreplaceable relics and artwork. As of this publication, witnesses report that the flames have spread into the familiar twin stone bell towers and continue to burn.

Prior to arriving on the scene, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement he is "sad to see this part of us all burn." He is treating the fire as a national emergency and has committed to using all available means to combat the blaze - except for airdropping water, which authorities say would further endanger the structure.

UPDATE (3:55 p.m.):

MSNBC has reported that officials from the French Interior Ministry are saying Notre Dame Cathedral probably cannot be saved. The loss from the fire may be total.

UPDATE (5:30 p.m.):

Notre Dame Cathedral has been "saved from total destruction," officials say, noting that first responders were able to salvage the stone edifices of the 14th century building. One firefighter was "seriously" injured battling the blaze.

Macron called upon the world's best architects and engineers to help restore Notre Dame. "We will rebuild," he said at a press conference.

More from People

Screenshot of George Santos; Zohran Mamdani
@MrSantosNY/X; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

George Santos Announced He's Leaving New York After Mamdani's Win—And The Responses Are Brutal

Disgraced former New York Republican Representative George Santos was widely mocked after he announced he will leave New York City now that Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral election.

Mamdani has sent shockwaves around the world with his win; an unapologetic democratic socialist, he took on the establishment and won despite months of Islamophobic and racist attacks from the right-wing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of man collapsing and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. preparing to walk out
@atrupar/X

RFK Jr. Dragged For Bolting Out Of Oval Office The Moment A Man Collapsed During Press Briefing

Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was criticized after hurrying out of a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday after a man had a medical emergency and suddenly collapsed.

Kennedy was on hand alongside President Donald Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz—the current Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—and health aides for a press briefing announcing lower costs for weight loss drugs.

Keep ReadingShow less

Times People Saw Someone Almost Die Due To Their Own Actions

All actions have consequences, some more negative and severe than others.

But sometimes, someone will do something so extreme or stupid, it could almost cost them their life.

Keep ReadingShow less

Cancer Patients Explain Which Symptoms Ultimately Led Them To See A Doctor

Cancer has taken far too many lives and affected far too many people.

Where is a cure?

Keep ReadingShow less
Close-up shot of the number 30 painted on asphalt.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

People Over 30 Share Their Biggest Regrets In Life

Life goes by in a flash.

When we're young, we tend to laugh off that statement.

Keep ReadingShow less