Key points
- Trump compares his legal battles with Le Pen
- Le Pen was sentenced for misappropriating EU funds
- She is banned from running for office for 5 years
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump, his Vice President JD Vance, and billionaire backer Elon Musk have all expressed their support for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after she was convicted of embezzlement and barred from standing in France’s 2027 presidential election.
Trump, who has frequently described his legal troubles as a left-wing witch-hunt, drew comparisons with Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, who was widely regarded as a potential presidential candidate, according to France 24.
Le Pen was sentenced on Monday for misappropriating European Union funds by using them to pay party officials. She received a four-year prison term, two of which are suspended, with the remaining two to be served under house arrest, as well as a €100,000 (£85,600) fine.
She was also immediately banned from running for office for five years, which would prevent her from contesting the 2027 election unless the decision is overturned next year, according to Reuters.
Censoring political opponents
“The witch-hunt against Marine Le Pen is another example of European Leftists using lawfare to silence free speech and censor their political opponents,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “It’s the same ‘playbook’ that was used against me.”
Trump has been indicted over a hush money payment to a porn star, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, and for retaining classified documents after his presidency.
He was convicted in the hush money case but denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated. Federal charges against him were dropped following his 2024 election victory.
JD Vance, who has criticised European countries for attempting to block far-right parties from office, also expressed support for Le Pen.
Testing relationship
“The Europeans are absolutely 100 per cent our friends, but that relationship is going to be tested if they keep throwing opposition leaders in jail,” he said in an interview with media.
Elon Musk, who has backed far-right figures across Europe, reposted Trump’s message on his own X platform, adding: “Free Le Pen!”
The support for Le Pen from these influential figures in Washington highlights the growing divide between the United States and many European nations on how the judiciary handles politically sensitive cases involving politicians.
Le Pen has accused France’s judiciary of causing a democratic crisis by barring her from the 2027 election and has called for a mass protest in Paris on Sunday, although her criticism of the judges seems to be damaging her popularity with voters.
International far-right movement
Having previously advocated for a lifetime ban on politicians convicted of misappropriating public funds, she claimed in an interview with Le Parisien that her case was different.
“Misappropriating public funds has always meant: I take public money and put it in my pocket. That’s inexcusable. But that’s not what happened in this case,” she said.
It remains unclear whether Trump and his allies’ support will benefit or harm Le Pen’s cause, according to France 24.
“I’m not sure it helps,” said Manuel Valls, France’s minister for overseas territories. “It shows there’s an international far-right movement trying to influence the debate. Hands off French justice, Mr Trump!”
