US President Donald Trump says the four years jail sentence and €100,000 slammed on Jean Marie Le Pen leader of France’s National Rally, is a “witch hunt” just like they tried to do to him in his country.
Le Pen was sentenced to a four-year jail with two years suspended and the other two to spent under house arrest by French court after she found guilty of misappropriating European Union funds. 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.”
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.”
Elon Musk reposted Trump’s message on X with the caption: “Free Le Pen!”
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. With RFI reports
