Musk says French leader Le Pen’s conviction will ‘backfire’ like Trump’s legal rulings
In a shocking turn of events, popular right-wing politician Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement in a French court, sparking outrage and comparisons to President Donald Trump’s legal troubles. The Department of Government Efficiency head, Elon Musk, condemned the verdict and likened it to the legal attacks against President Trump, blaming the left for targeting their opponents through the legal system.
Musk took to X to express his frustration, stating, “When the radical left can’t win via democratic vote, they abuse the legal system to jail their opponents. This is their standard playbook throughout the world.” The conviction of Le Pen, which includes a ban from running for office for five years, comes amidst a wave of legal prosecutions against other right-wing politicians such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Romania’s Călin Georgescu, and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
These cases have drawn parallels to Trump’s legal battles, with experts noting similarities in the tactics used against him and other right-wing leaders. Netanyahu, facing charges of fraud and breach of trust, has denied all accusations against him. Georgescu, a Romanian presidential frontrunner, was barred from the race under criminal charges he compared to Trump’s own legal challenges.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro is facing trial over an alleged attempt to remain in office after his election defeat, following in the footsteps of other right-wing leaders under legal scrutiny. Italian Vice Premier Matteo Salvini, who was cleared of charges related to detaining migrants, has also decried what he sees as a political attack.
Legal expert Eugene Kontorovich highlighted the pattern of political prosecutions targeting popular right-wing leaders, suggesting a coordinated effort by leftists to use the courts to undermine their opponents. The case against Le Pen revolves around allegations of misusing EU funds, leading to a four-year prison sentence and a ban from running for office.
The conviction has sent shockwaves through France, where Le Pen’s National Rally party was gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Her protégé, Jordan Bardella, has called for peaceful protests against the verdict, accusing the judiciary of stifling democracy. Le Pen’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision, with support pouring in from right-wing leaders across Europe.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the fate of right-wing leaders facing legal challenges remains uncertain. The parallels drawn between these cases and the legal battles of President Trump serve as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the intersection of politics and the law.
