**French Far-Right Leader Bardella Denies Anti-Semitism Allegations Amid Controversy**
**Published: September 28, 2026**
Jordan Bardella, the president of France's far-right political party Rassemblement National (National Rally or RN), has publicly denied allegations of anti-Semitism following a report by the investigative outlet Mediapart. The report, published earlier this week, claims that Bardella sent anti-Semitic messages during his teenage years, a revelation that coincides with the party's recent electoral success in the Senate.
In a statement on social media, Bardella refuted the claims, labeling them as “blatant forgeries.” He contended that the accusations stem from a politically motivated campaign aimed at undermining the RN's momentum ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. “I formally dispute the accusations against me by Mediapart, which attributes to me deranged and anti-Semitic remarks that I supposedly made when I was a minor,” he stated.
Bardella, who is closely aligned with Marine Le Pen, the party's prominent figure and presidential frontrunner, asserted that he has consistently opposed anti-Semitism throughout his political career. He emphasized his past interactions with the Israeli government, highlighting his commitment to combating anti-Semitic sentiments. “Since I began engaging in politics, I have never had any ambiguity about the fight against anti-Semitism,” he remarked during an interview with CNews.
The Mediapart report alleges that Bardella's messages, sent between 2013 and 2015, reveal a pattern of anti-Semitic rhetoric, including statements suggesting that "all the banks are owned by Jews." The outlet claims to have authenticated these messages and gathered testimonies from former colleagues within the party. In one instance, Bardella reportedly stated, “The Jew has to dominate other peoples, crush them, and rob them; a Zionist is necessarily a Jew, and fundamentally so.”
In light of these allegations, Bardella has instructed his lawyer to pursue all necessary legal actions against the claims made by Mediapart. He characterized the report as part of a broader “smear operation” orchestrated by what he termed the “activist press,” aimed at destabilizing the RN's campaign as they approach a pivotal electoral moment.
The RN has seen a resurgence in political support, recently securing a record 14 seats in the French Senate. This success has positioned the party favorably as it prepares for the presidential elections scheduled for early next year. Bardella, who was previously considered a potential prime ministerial candidate should Le Pen win the presidency, is now facing scrutiny that could impact the party's image and electoral prospects.
Marine Le Pen also defended Bardella, suggesting that the allegations are unfounded and labeling them as “fake” and “a manipulation.” She expressed confidence that Bardella would take legal action against the report, indicating a united front within the party amid the controversy.
The RN has been working to distance itself from its historical associations with racism and anti-Semitism, a legacy rooted in its predecessor, the National Front, founded by Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. Under Marine Le Pen's leadership from 2011 to 2021, the party underwent a rebranding effort, changing its name in 2018 to shed its controversial past.
Despite these efforts, the party has faced challenges due to past comments made by its candidates, which have included anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and racist remarks. Bardella has previously committed to eliminating such “casting errors” by removing candidates with problematic statements to improve the party's public image.
As the RN prepares for the upcoming presidential elections, the party's ability to navigate this controversy and maintain its electoral momentum will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike. The political landscape in France remains dynamic, and the implications of these allegations could play a significant role in shaping the narrative leading up to the elections.