Asger Risom
U.S. President accuses France’s judiciary of targeting political opponents ahead of 2027 elections
U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out Thursday at the French justice system, calling the recent conviction of far-right leader Marine Le Pen a “witch hunt” designed to sabotage her presidential bid. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded her release — despite the fact that Le Pen is not in custody.
“Free Marine Le Pen!” Trump wrote in capital letters, as reported by Digi24. “I don’t know her personally, but I admire how hard she’s worked over the years.”
He went on to call her legal troubles a “miscalculation” and likened her case to his own legal challenges.
A Familiar Narrative
The French court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison — two with electronic monitoring and two suspended — alongside a five-year ban from holding public office.
The latter would effectively block her from running in France’s 2027 presidential election, where she had been considered a frontrunner.
Trump argued that the case was politically motivated: “The witch hunt against Marine Le Pen is yet another example of the European left using the law to silence dissent and imprison their political opponents.”
He compared the situation to his own legal woes, saying “it’s the same playbook used against me by a bunch of lunatics and losers.”
U.S. VP Also Weighs In
Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, echoed his sentiments during a Thursday interview with Newsmax, stating: “She’s leading in some polls, and for a particularly minor accusation, they’re trying to keep her off the ballot.”
Vance incorrectly claimed Le Pen was not personally implicated in the charges, calling the French court’s decision “undemocratic.”
Le Pen was convicted earlier this week in connection with the misuse of European Parliament funds — a case involving 23 other defendants.
While she has vowed to appeal, the verdict’s immediate effect is a major blow to her political ambitions. French authorities have stated that her appeal will be heard before summer 2026, keeping open the possibility of a political comeback.
Both Trump and Vance have been vocal supporters of European far-right movements, with Vance and Elon Musk increasingly aligning with nationalist leaders across the continent.