Mediapart Report Links French Far-Right Leader Jordan Bardella to Antisemitic Texts
French investigative site Mediapart published leaked texts allegedly linking National Rally leader Jordan Bardella to antisemitic conspiracy theories. Bardella strongly denied the claims, calling them forgeries and threatening legal action.
A bombshell investigative report published by the French news website Mediapart has ignited a major political storm in France. The report reveals a series of private messages allegedly authored by Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN) party, containing antisemitic remarks and conspiracy theories regarding Jewish control over the French banking system and government. Bardella has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing the texts as forgeries and announcing plans to take legal action.
The investigation, titled "All Banks Belong to Jews: Jordan Bardella Facing His Antisemitic Writings," was written by journalists Alexandre Berteau and Anton Roger. They claim to have obtained dozens of private messages spanning from 2013 to 2015, which they independently verified, alongside testimonies from former party members. During this period, Bardella was a youth activist in the National Front, the former name of the National Rally.
Conspiracy Theories on Jewish Control
According to the report, one of the messages attributed to Bardella claimed that Jews seek to dominate other nations and establish a new world order led by Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital. Other messages allegedly linked Zionism to global financial control, referencing major investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Rothschild, and Lehman Brothers.
The report states that these claims extended beyond finance. Another message purportedly argued that key French government ministries are staffed by individuals prioritizing Israeli and banking interests over French national concerns. An additional message allegedly mocked former Minister of Economy Pierre Moscovici, suggesting his efforts to rescue companies stemmed from a desire to avenge Moses.
Response and Legal Threats
Bardella categorically rejected the findings in both a written response to Mediapart and during an appearance on CNEWS television. He emphasized that in the summer of 2013 he was still a minor and inactive in the party. Bardella claimed the publication is a coordinated smear campaign aimed at undermining him ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
"These allegations are completely unfounded, and the texts do not belong to me," Bardella stated, announcing that he has instructed his lawyer to initiate legal proceedings.
Marine Le Pen rallied behind Bardella, stating that the accusations are absurd and potentially fabricated. Meanwhile, politicians from the French left expressed outrage, viewing the report as evidence of lingering historical antisemitism within the far-right movement.
Impact on the National Rally's Image
The controversy strikes at a sensitive time for the National Rally, which has spent years attempting to distance itself from the antisemitic history associated with its founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen. Since taking over the party in 2011, Marine Le Pen has sought to mainstream the movement.
As part of this shift, the party has cultivated ties with Israel. In March 2025, Bardella became the first leader of the National Rally to be officially invited by the Israeli government to an international conference combating antisemitism. The current scandal now casts a shadow over the gap between the party's modern rebranding and the explosive claims concerning its leader.
