Mediapart Says It Authenticated Antisemitic Messages Attributed to Jordan Bardella

The French investigative outlet Mediapart said it has authenticated antisemitic messages attributed to National Rally president Jordan Bardella, with assistance from Meta and a court bailiff, according to France 24.

Bardella has denied being the author of the messages, which Mediapart reports were allegedly sent via Facebook Messenger in 2013 to another individual. The outlet published screenshots of the messages as part of its reporting, France 24 said.

The dispute centers on whether the messages can be definitively tied to Bardella, with Mediapart asserting that its verification process, which involved the platform Meta and a legal bailiff to document the authentication, supports their authenticity.

Political Implications

The controversy arrives at a politically sensitive moment for the National Rally, which has sought to present itself as a mainstream political force under Bardella's leadership. Allegations of antisemitism could complicate those efforts, regardless of the messages' ultimate authenticity, given Bardella's public denial.

France 24's report does not indicate whether Bardella or the National Rally have announced any legal response to Mediapart's publication of the material.