US President Donald Trump has called Marine Le Pen’s recent embezzlement conviction a “witch hunt” and said the charges should be dropped as he, Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk line up in support of the French far-right leader.
On Monday, Le Pen, the prominent figurehead of France’s National Rally, was handed a four-year prison sentence – two years suspended, with two to be served under home detention – for misusing European Union funds to pay party officials.
She was also fined €100,000 and received a five-year ban from public office, effectively blocking her from the next presidential race unless the ruling is overturned.
“The Witch Hunt against Marine Le Pen is another example of European Leftists using Lawfare to silence Free Speech,” Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social. “It is the same 'playbook' that was used against me.”
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'Not democracy'
Vice President JD Vance backed Trump’s position in an interview with Newsmax.
“They’re trying to throw her in prison and off the ballot,” he said. “Look, that’s not democracy.”
He suggested the case had more to do with the actions of Le Pen’s staff than with Le Pen herself, and noted that she had been ahead in some polls.
Elon Musk reposted Trump’s message on X with the caption: “Free Le Pen!”
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'Hands off French justice'
The high-profile expressions of solidarity reflect what many analysts are calling a transatlantic divide on the treatment of far-right political figures and the role of judiciary in democratic systems.
French officials were quick to respond to the comments from the US.
“Hands off French justice, Mr Trump!” said French Minister for Overseas Territories Manuel Valls in an interview with FranceInfo.
“It shows there’s an international far-right movement trying to influence our debate.”
Le Pen has rejected the verdict, calling it undemocratic and politically motivated. She has urged supporters to join a protest in Paris this Sunday.
However early signs suggest her criticism of the judiciary may not be resonating with voters.
But public reaction in France has been cautious. Early signs suggest her attacks on the judiciary may not be resonating widely with voters.
