Posted by 
US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind French far-right leader Marine Le Pen following her conviction earlier this week for embezzling European Union funds—a ruling that has barred her from running in France’s 2027 presidential election.
In a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, Trump condemned the verdict as a politically motivated attack.
“She suffered losses, but kept on going, and now, just before what would be a Big Victory, they get her on a minor charge that she probably knew nothing about – Sounds like a ‘bookkeeping’ error to me,” Trump wrote.
The Paris court sentenced Le Pen to a five-year ban from public office, delivering a major blow to her chances of succeeding Emmanuel Macron. Le Pen and two dozen National Rally (RN) party officials were found guilty of misappropriating EU funds intended for parliamentary assistants. Her lawyers have announced plans to appeal the ruling.
The case has ignited political tensions in France, with RN figures accusing the judiciary of meddling in democratic processes. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, however, publicly backed the court’s decision, stating to lawmakers on Tuesday that he “unconditionally supported” the judiciary.
The lead judge in the case has since been placed under police protection after receiving death threats, according to a source who spoke to Reuters.
Rights advocates and political commentators have long noted similarities between Trump and Le Pen, citing their populist, anti-immigration stances and combative rhetoric. Trump’s public support of Le Pen adds further weight to that comparison.
Trump, 78, also drew parallels between Le Pen’s conviction and his own legal troubles. The former U.S. president has been indicted in multiple cases, including over a hush money payment to a porn actress, alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, and the unlawful retention of classified documents. He has denied all wrongdoing, insisting the charges were politically motivated. Following his re-election in 2024, federal charges against him were dropped.
“It is all so bad for France,” Trump concluded in his post.
The post Trump Backs Marine Le Pen After French Court Conviction, Calling It a ‘Witch Hunt’ appeared first on Arise News.
