Bardella pursues defamation lawsuit against Mediapart over alleged statements
Bardella pursues defamation suit as Mediapart vows further evidence supporting its authentication of disputed messages.
Event / Politics
Rassemblement National Controversies
Controversies involving the Rassemblement National party and its elected officials, including extremism-related disputes and, since October 2026, an investigation by the Laon prosecutor's office into alleged embezzlement of public funds by deputy José Beaurain, who denies the allegations. The Aisne gendarmerie is conducting the inquiry, and the National Assembly's ethics officer has been asked for additional checks.
5 reported locations
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23 articles0 articles
2026-09-29 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 29 Sept, 11:48 UTC
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What happened
Tanguy reaffirms support for Jordan Bardella despite ongoing allegations
Deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy publicly expressed absolute confidence in RN president Jordan Bardella despite recent media revelations about alleged antisemitic statements and other controversies, characterizing the investigations as insignificant details and media misconduct.
Jean-Philippe Tanguy acknowledges RN party attracts individuals with extremist views
RN deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy stated on BFM politique that his party has attracted individuals with extremist tendencies, describing them as infiltrators who hide their opinions. He claimed the party removes such individuals when discovered but acknowledged the ongoing problem.
RN parliamentary assistant dismissed for racist and antisemitic online posts
A parliamentary assistant for Rassemblement National deputy Franck Allisio was dismissed after Libération reported his online publications containing collaborationist reading recommendations, racist jokes, and fascist slogans. This represents another case in a series of similar incidents revealed by the press in recent years.
Multiple media investigations reveal allegations against RN party leadership
Le Canard enchaîné, Libération, and Mediapart have published investigations revealing allegations against RN president Jordan Bardella, including claims related to antisemitic statements and the closure of his Facebook accounts, challenging the party's rehabilitation strategy.
Mediapart disputes Jordan Bardella's accusations against journalists
Mediapart responded to Jordan Bardella's accusations against its journalists, calling the claims of witness manipulation and terrorist organization participation "completely false." The news organization stood by the authenticity verification of the published antisemitic messages.
Jordan Bardella denies authorship of antisemitic messages and files defamation lawsuits
Jordan Bardella, 31, denied authorship of the antisemitic messages published by Mediapart, calling the accusations false. He filed a defamation lawsuit against Mediapart and announced his intention to file an additional lawsuit for forgery and fraudulent use of documents. He accused Mediapart journalists of manipulating witnesses and participating in organizations labeled as terrorist.
Mediapart publishes antisemitic messages attributed to Jordan Bardella from 2013
Mediapart published messages from 2013 that it attributes to Jordan Bardella, the president of the Rassemblement National (RN), containing antisemitic content and references to racist theorist Alain Soral. The news organization stated it verified the authenticity of these messages using evidence from the Messenger messaging platform.
Marine Le Pen publicly reaffirms confidence in Jordan Bardella
Marine Le Pen, the Rassemblement National candidate for the presidential election, stated on October 7 that she maintains "1,000% confidence" in Jordan Bardella. She criticized the Mediapart investigation as an "abominable maneuver" and reiterated her intention to appoint Bardella as Prime Minister if elected.
RN party leaders rally behind Jordan Bardella amid scandal
Senior Rassemblement national figures Jean-Philippe Tanguy and Laurent Jacobelli publicly expressed support for Jordan Bardella on October 4, 2026. Tanguy stated his support and friendship for Bardella on CNEWS/Europe 1, while Jacobelli, the RN's spokesman and deputy, expressed his conviction that Bardella did not author the disputed messages. Marine Le Pen, the RN's presidential candidate, reaffirmed her total confidence in Bardella.
RN party challenges authentication methods used by Mediapart
Laurent Jacobelli, RN spokesman, questioned the authenticity of Mediapart's evidence on October 4, 2026, specifically challenging the six-week delay between Meta's data extraction on August 16 and the bailiff certification on September 29. Jacobelli argued that the bailiff's statement does not confirm Bardella as the author of the messages and criticized Mediapart's investigative methods as unreliable. Jean-Philippe Tanguy accused Mediapart of acting in bad faith and using fraudulent techniques.
Jordan Bardella denies authorship of antisemitic messages
Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement national, formally denies being the author of the antisemitic messages published by Mediapart. Despite the media outlet's authentication through Meta data extraction and bailiff certification, Bardella maintains he did not write, speak, or think these statements.
Mediapart offers to reproduce data authentication with source verification
In response to RN criticisms, Mediapart stated on October 3, 2026, that it was prepared to reproduce the data export in the presence of the source to demonstrate that the current extraction is identical to the previous one. The outlet also defended its identity verification methods, pointing to numerous biographical details scattered throughout the Messenger conversation that match Bardella's personal history.
Mediapart publishes antisemitic messages attributed to Jordan Bardella from 2013
The online news outlet Mediapart revealed messages dated 2013 that it attributes to Jordan Bardella, then a young activist in the Rassemblement national party. The messages, posted on Messenger, contained antisemitic statements including "Banks are all owned by Jews" and "Jews must dominate other peoples, crush them and rob them." Mediapart authenticated the messages through a data extraction from Meta certified by a bailiff on September 29, 2026, following the extraction on August 16, 2026.
RN party congress scheduled to reelect Bardella as president
The National Front will hold its 19th party congress in Orléans on October 24-25, 2026, to elect its president. Jordan Bardella is assured of remaining in his position as party leader.
Le Pen and Bardella to present joint budget proposal
Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella will hold a joint press conference on Tuesday to present the RN's counter-budget for 2027, following the state budget presentation by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
French public opinion poll on Bardella's leadership amid scandal
According to a YouGov Le HuffPost poll published on Saturday, 47% of French respondents believe Jordan Bardella can remain as RN president, while 38% believe he should resign. Additionally, 60% of respondents qualified the attributed statements as "serious."
Marine Le Pen expresses full confidence in Jordan Bardella
Marine Le Pen, RN candidate for the 2027 presidential election, publicly stated "I have total confidence in Jordan" in a declaration to La Tribune Dimanche. This was her first public statement two days after Mediapart published authentication elements of the antisemitic messages. Le Pen previously described the revelations as "undercover operations" and promised to "dismantle" these "heavy and filthy manipulations."
Jordan Bardella denies antisemitic messages and files defamation lawsuit
Jordan Bardella, president of the National Front (RN), denied authoring the antisemitic messages published by Mediapart, describing them as "crude fabrications, obscure manipulated screenshots" containing "vile statements" he never made. He filed legal complaints against Mediapart for defamation, fraud, and forgery.
Mediapart publishes antisemitic messages attributed to Jordan Bardella
Mediapart published screenshots of messages dated 2013 attributed to Jordan Bardella when he was a young activist in the National Front. The messages contained antisemitic content including statements such as "Banks are all owned by Jews" and "The Jew must dominate other peoples, crush them and steal from them." Mediapart authenticated these messages through extraction by Meta (Facebook's parent company) under notarial control, with biographical details matching Bardella including his mother's Italian origin and his failed Sciences Po exam.
Mediapart publishes authenticated antisemitic messages attributed to Jordan Bardella from 2013
Investigative media outlet Mediapart published screenshots of antisemitic messages allegedly sent by Jordan Bardella via Facebook Messenger in 2013. The messages included statements such as "All banks are owned by Jews" and conspiracy theories about Jewish dominance. Mediapart obtained the conversation data through Meta and had it authenticated by a court officer (huissier) to verify the messages were not altered.
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2 alternative perspectives
Mediapart Verifies Authenticity of Bardella's 2013 Antisemitic Messages
Mediapart authenticates 2013 antisemitic messages attributed to Bardella through biographical verification and platform records.
Mediapart publishes messages in escalating Bardella dispute
Mediapart publishes antisemitic messages attributed to Bardella; he files defamation lawsuit as outlet promises more evidence.
Macron escalates criticism of Bardella over antisemitism and press relations
Macron condemns Bardella's attributed antisemitism and party's press aggression; Bardella cites pro-Israel engagement as counter.
Macron condemns Bardella's rhetoric as grave and unacceptable
Macron condemns Bardella's attributed antisemitic statements as grave and unacceptable while criticizing the far-right party's press rhetoric.
International figures rally behind Bardella amid antisemitism controversy
Le Pen and an Israeli minister voiced support for Bardella amid antisemitism allegations.
Bardella Files Defamation Suit as Mediapart Vows Further Evidence
Bardella sued Mediapart for defamation; Mediapart vowed to publish more evidence.
Mediapart Investigation Documents Bardella Antisemitic Statements from 2013
Mediapart investigation documents antisemitic statements attributed to Bardella from 2013.
Party leadership claims internal purges removed antisemitic members
National Rally claims antisemitic purges; ministers dispute whether such measures address structural antisemitism.
Political Divide Widens Over Bardella Allegations Response
Support and resignation calls divide France along partisan lines over Bardella allegations.
Bardella Denies Antisemitic Messages, Claims Political Setup
Bardella denies antisemitic messages, alleges political conspiracy targeting his campaign.