Following the racist attack in Trappes on October 23, the city's mayor, Ali Rabeh, criticized the persistent media obsession with immigration in France. During a television appearance, Rabeh highlighted the gap between the Republic's promise of equality and the reality faced by descendants of immigrants. He noted that even his position as an elected official does not protect him from racist abuse and threats. The mayor blamed certain media outlets for fueling prejudice and urged for the national discourse to shift toward pressing social and economic issues, such as living costs and the decaying state of school facilities.