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Before he spoke: Macron made an impact on DC students

On Day two of the first state visit under President Donald J. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron made an impact on George Washington students.

Washington (WUSA9) — George Washington University handed out 1,000 tickets through a lottery system for Wednesday’s Town Hall event with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The world leader stopped at the D.C. university on day two of his trip, the first state visit under President Donald J. Trump.

As the ticketed guests waited in line to enter, another line of students stretched down the block just across the street. The line was for those hoping to snag an extra ticket.

RELATED: Rebuffing Trump's nationalism, France's Emmanuel Macron calls for a 'new breed of multilateralism'

Brian Schwartz was one of the many Internal Affairs students eagerly waiting in line.

“I think as a student of International Affairs, these are events that are undoubtedly shaping the world that we are going to inherit and working-in. I have a vested interest in finding out what direction these events are going to take,” said Schwartz, who described this as like a blueprint to his future.

The Town Hall appearance was a more intimate setting on Wednesday (despite hundreds in attendance).

Students asked questions directly. The questions asked ranged from a ‘Trade War with China’ to how Macron plans to address growing anti-Semitism in France.

President Macron also met with journalists at the Town Hall. Macron said he expects President Trump to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

He went on to say the U.S. changing its mind on international deals like that one is "very insane."

Beforehand, a couple of students had comments about the reported, “bromance.” That’s how some media outlets have described the unique relationship between President Trump and French President Macron.

“It’s definitely more diplomatic,” said Meenu Mathews, a Senior at GW.

“I think that it’s a very smart way to handle Trump. Many leaders around the world try to shame Trump and try to (disengage) from him,” said Liam Hurley-Matz, who came to hear Macron speak about environmental issues.

A GW Political Science major, Tara Brigham said, “It is actually refreshing, I guess, to see that they actually have a dialogue together. But no, it doesn’t change my view on the Trump administration.”

“Which is what?” a WUSA9 Reporter Stephanie Ramirez asked.

“Negative," said Brigham laughing, "I mean – I’m going to be honest."

Those who talked to WUSA9 identified themselves as liberals and independents.

“I hope that it just opens up some dialogue because I feel like the U.S. is becoming extremely protectionism – protectionist…I think having this as a start is really important, but it definitely needs to get better," said Miranda Pollock, a business major.

This is not to say everyone agrees with the French President.

There were at least two younger protesters outside of the Wednesday Town Hall. They held signs and handed-out fliers calling for an end to the war in Syria.

France has been a partner in U.S. airstrikes there.

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