Paris – 26.05.2026: Jean-Luc Mélenchon, president of La France Insoumise, has accused Marine Le Pen, president of the National Assembly and leader of the National Rally, of manipulating his statements regarding the “New France”. He is considering taking legal action against her.
On the morning of May 26, 2026, Marine Le Pen posted a video of Jean-Luc Mélenchon from February 2025 on the social network X. In this video, Mélenchon asks his audience who has “a foreign grandfather” and explains that there is a “New France” made up of “millions of people”. Le Pen commented on the video as follows: “Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s ‘New France’ does not refer to an intergenerational exchange, but to origin, which constitutes the quintessence of racism and the denial of our Constitution.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon immediately responded to the post. He called the video “artificial stupidity” and accused Le Pen of spreading a manipulated video that distorts his statements. He explained that software had edited his speech eight times to make him say things he never said. “This manipulation is a crime,” Mélenchon emphasized, announcing his intention to initiate legal proceedings. He referred to article 226-8 of the French Penal Code, which penalizes the unauthorized publication of modified images or statements without the consent of the person concerned.
La France Insoumise defended the idea of the “New France”, emphasizing that it concerns not only origin but also an intergenerational exchange. The party condemned the dissemination of this manipulated video as an attempt to distort the political debate and manipulate public opinion.
The conflict between Mélenchon and Le Pen again raises questions about the spread of misinformation and manipulation in political communication. In the past, similar accusations had already been made concerning the use of manipulated content to influence public opinion. Recent events highlight the need to develop mechanisms to combat misinformation and promote transparent political communication.
The legal actions considered by Jean-Luc Mélenchon could have significant repercussions on the political landscape. Such a trial would not only address the issue of the dissemination of misinformation but also the limits of political debate and the responsibility of politicians and parties in the digital era.
Overall, this incident highlights the tensions between political camps in France and the challenges related to the use of digital media in political communication. The coming days and weeks will show how this confrontation will evolve and what consequences it will have for French political culture.