French Reports: Trump-Macron ‘Friendship’ Tree Dies

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: President Donald J. Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron plant a tree as first lady Melania Trump and Macron's wife Brigitte Macron watch on the South Lawn at the White House on Monda... WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: President Donald J. Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron plant a tree as first lady Melania Trump and Macron's wife Brigitte Macron watch on the South Lawn at the White House on Monday, April 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) MORE LESS
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A tree gifted by French President Emmanuel Macron to President Donald Trump as a symbol of the “ties” that bind them has died, according to French daily newspaper Le Monde and Agence France-Presse.

Though much fanfare was made over the Macrons and the Trumps shoveling dirt onto the oak sapling, it was soon removed to be put in “quarantine” which then-French Ambassador Gérard Araud said is standard for plants brought into the U.S.

The tree was reportedly never planted and died in quarantine.

The White House did not confirm the tree’s death.

Since the ceremonial planting, relations between Trump and Macron have become strained as they disagreed over climate change and trade.

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