Topline
President Donald Trump blamed French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s embezzlement conviction on a “witch hunt” by “European leftists” in a post on Truth Social, which his ally Elon Musk reposted, stating: “Free Le Pen!”
France’s Marine Le Pen was barred from running for office for five years and sentenced to four years … More
Key Facts
Trump called for Le Pen’s freedom, days after a judge convicted her and two dozen members of her far-right National Rally party for embezzling European Union funds, handing her a four-year prison sentence and a five-year ban on running for office, effectively disqualifying her from the 2027 French presidential election.
Trump said on Truth Social Le Pen’s conviction is an example of leftists trying to “silence Free Speech” and put political opponents in prison, drawing comparisons to himself by referring to his own impeachment trials.
Trump said Le Pen was convicted on a “minor charge that she probably knew nothing about,” calling the ruling “so bad for France.”
Musk, who has in recent months ramped up his support for European far-right parties on social media, posted a screenshot of Trump’s post to X, writing: “Free Le Pen!”
How Has Musk Backed Europe’s Far-Right?
Musk has drawn ire from European leaders for promoting far-right parties in Germany, Italy and more countries on social media. Musk was a staunch supporter of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party in the lead-up to the country’s election in February. The party, which is anti-immigrant and supports mass deportations and abandoning the Euro, has sparked controversy over some leaders allegedly using Nazi rhetoric. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called Musk’s support for the AfD and Europe’s far-right “really disgusting” and “not good for the democratic development in all [of] the European Union.” Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union party claimed the biggest share of the vote in February, though the AfD placed second with its best-ever election result. Musk has also backed Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and has frequently blasted the United Kingdom’s Labour Party and its leader, Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Financial Times reported Musk held private discussions about how to oust Starmer before the United Kingdom’s next election. On his X account, Musk has frequently tweaked Trump’s campaign slogan for Europe, posting: “Make Europe Great Again” on numerous occasions.
Tangent
Trump’s comment that Le Pen’s conviction represents suppression of free speech echoes controversial remarks Vice President JD Vance made at the Munich Security Conference in February, in which he attacked European leaders for allegedly suppressing free speech and refusing to work with far-right parties.
Why Was Le Pen Convicted?
A French court ruled Le Pen played a “central role” in her National Front party scheming the European Union out of millions of euros, which would equal about $5 million in U.S. dollars. The court found the money was used for party expenses that were unrelated to European Union business. Le Pen has vowed to appeal the ruling and slammed the conviction as purely “political.” Prior to her conviction, Le Pen—who has run for president three times—was considered a serious contender for the 2027 French presidential race.
Further Reading
Marine Le Pen’s Trump-style defiance over her conviction leaves France and its far right in a bind (NBC News)
