U.S. President Donald Trump described the French court’s decision to bar far-right leader Marine Le Pen from the 2027 presidential election as a “very big deal,” comparing her situation to his own legal troubles.
Le Pen, 56, was convicted of embezzling European Union funds to benefit her party, resulting in a five-year public office ban that cannot be suspended by appeal. She also received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, two years under home detention, and a fine of 100,000 euros ($108,200).
“I know all about it, and a lot of people thought she wasn't going to be convicted of anything,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday evening. “But she was banned for running for five years, and she's the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country.”
The ruling has provoked sharp reactions from Le Pen’s allies in France and far-right leaders across Europe. France's High Council of the Judiciary condemned the backlash, warning that personal threats against magistrates and political statements about the case are unacceptable in a democratic society.
Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), remains a prominent figure in European far-right politics and was considered a front-runner for the 2027 presidential election. However, the court’s decision represents a major setback for her political career.
Trump, who himself faced legal battles before winning the 2024 presidential election, suggested that Le Pen’s conviction was politically motivated. Federal charges against Trump were dropped following his 2024 election victory.
While some have praised the French court’s decision as a victory for judicial independence, others claim it was an attempt to sideline Le Pen from the political arena. The controversy continues to fuel debate over political interference and the integrity of democratic institutions.
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