President Trump has pledged his support to the people of France after the iconic Notre Dame cathedral suffered a devastating fire last night. On Twitter, the president noted it was “horrible” to watch the scenes from Paris, and suggested “flying water tankers could be used to put it out.” It was confirmed this morning that the fire had been entirely extinguished.

The White House said it will offer France “assistance in the rehabilitation of this irreplaceable symbol of Western civilization.”

“The United States stands with French citizens, the city of Paris, and the millions of visitors from around the world who have sought solace in that iconic structure,” Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Closer to home, Trump is also facing his first Republican challenger for the 2020 presidential election in the form of Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, although is it deemed unlikely that anyone will seize the party’s nomination from the incumbent.

“I really think if we have six more years of the same stuff we’ve had out of the White House the last two years that would be a political tragedy, and I would fear for the Republic,” Mr Weld told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday. “I would be ashamed of myself if I didn’t raise my hand and run.

It was also announced late yesterday that the Mueller report into Russian interference in the 2020 presidential election, and any links to the Trump campaign, would be released in a redacted form to the public this Thursday.

The president also defended his attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar despite an onslaught of death threats the Muslim congresswoman received recently.

Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Show all 13 1 /13 Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Statue of Saint Denis Notre Dame https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_-_Cath%C3%A9drale_Notre-Dame_-_Portail_de_la_Vierge_-_PA00086250_-_003.jpg Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved "Close up of Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus statues at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Other images of the Notre Dame Cathedral:" gregobagel Getty Images/iStockphoto Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Rose windows Among the most famous architectural features of the Gothic masterpiece, the stained glass rose windows are treasured artworks. The three rose windows, which date back to the 13th century, adorn the north, south and west facades. There were hopes the windows had escaped being destroyed by the fire after firefighters stopped its spread. Photos the following morning suggested the circular window of the nave had remained intact. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Destroyed: Irreplaceable wooden roof Crowds of tourists and Parisians watched in horror as the spire and roof of Notre Dame cathedral came crashing down to the ground. EPA Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Descent from the Cross The cross and statue on Notre Dame's high altar - sculpted by Nicolas Coustou in 1723 - were believed to have survived in tact despite being surrounded by smoke and debris. Reuters Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Great Organ With nearly 8,000 pipes, some dating back to the 1700s, Notre Dame's master organ is one of the largest in the world. The monumental instrument, the largest in France, was fully restored in 2013 with each pipe cleaned. Paris' deputy mayor, Emmanuel Gregoire, said the instrument remained intact following the fire. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Bells Housed in the two western towers, Notre Dame's bells have rung out at key moments in France's history. Emmanuel, the largest bell, was lifted into the south tower in 1685 and weighs over 23 tonnes. The fire was prevented from spreading to the bell towers. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Crown of Thorns Believed to be a relic of the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, the object was stored in the cathedral's treasury. French King Louis IX brought the relic, which is contained in an elaborate gold case, to Paris in 1238. The Crown of Thorns was saved and has been taken into safekeeping. AP Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Tunic of Saint Louis The tunic allegedly worn by Saint Louis IX as he brought the Crown of Thorns to Paris was kept inside the cathedral. It has been saved. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Statues on the roof The week before the fire, religious statues set atop the cathedral were removed for the first time in over 100 years as part of the restoration project. A 100-metre-high crane lowered the copper statues representing the 12 apostles and four evangelists onto a lorry. AFP Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Destroyed: Spire Crowds of tourists and Parisians watched in horror as the spire and roof of Notre Dame cathedral came crashing down to the ground. EPA/I Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Unknown: Choir screen It is not known what happened to the detailed choir screen at Notre Dame cathedral. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Some of the artworks from Notre-Dame sheltered as the fire devastated the cathedral AFP/Getty

In an interview with a local news station in Minnesota, Mr Trump continued to disparage Ms Omar. “It’s unfortunate,” he said. “She’s got a way about her that’s very, very bad, I think, for our country. I think she’s extremely unpatriotic and extremely disrespectful to our country.”

Read The Independent’s updates as they happened below.