Bardella Denies Anti-Semitism Allegations, Calls Messages Fake

Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), has denied allegations that he sent anti-Semitic private messages more than a decade ago.

The allegations were published by French investigative outlet Mediapart, which reported that it had reviewed dozens of private messages allegedly sent by Bardella between 2013 and 2015. The outlet said the messages contained anti-Semitic rhetoric and claimed that it had independently authenticated them.

Bardella, 31, rejected the allegations, describing the messages as “blatant forgeries”. He accused what he called the “activist press” of attempting to damage the RN’s presidential campaign.

Bardella said he had instructed his lawyer to take legal action over the allegations.

“I formally dispute the accusations against me by Mediapart,” Bardella said in a social media post, rejecting claims that he made anti-Semitic remarks when he was a minor.

Speaking to French right-wing broadcaster CNews, Bardella also pointed to his opposition to anti-Semitism, saying he had been received by the Israeli government in 2025.

Mediapart, however, maintained its report, saying the messages showed a pattern of anti-Semitic statements and that its investigation also included testimony from former party colleagues.

The controversy comes shortly after the National Rally won a record 14 seats in France’s Senate, strengthening its position ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for next year.

Bardella is a close ally of Marine Le Pen and had been regarded as the party’s de facto presidential candidate until July, when an appeals court cleared Le Pen to run for president.

Le Pen also rejected the allegations, describing the report as a possible “fake, manipulation” and “dirty trick”. She said she expected Bardella to file a defamation lawsuit.

The National Rally has sought to distance itself from the racist and anti-Semitic legacy associated with its former name, the National Front, founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen. The party changed its name to National Rally in 2018.