Le Pen Conviction and 2027 Election Ban

Former President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen following her conviction for embezzling EU funds, labeling it as a 'witch hunt' orchestrated by 'European Leftists' to silence political opposition. Le Pen, sentenced to four years with a five-year ban from running for office, claims the charges are politically motivated. Trump likened her legal challenges to his own experiences with the U.S. justice system, dismissing the conviction as a 'bookkeeping error.' Elon Musk echoed Trump's sentiments, calling for Le Pen's release. The case has sparked international debate about the use of legal measures against political figures, with critics arguing it undermines democratic processes. Le Pen's conviction prevents her from contesting in the 2027 French presidential election, where she was a leading candidate against President Emmanuel Macron.