Mediapart says 2013 antisemitic messages are Bardella's; he denies writing them and plans lawsuit

French investigative outlet Mediapart says it has authenticated antisemitic messages from 2013 that it attributes to National Rally figure Jordan Bardella. Bardella, 31, denies writing them.

No part of the story has been independently confirmed. All the reports reviewed by Vocemundi trace back to Mediapart's publication, relayed by France 24 with AFP.

What has been reported

According to France 24 and Le Monde, Mediapart published screenshots of antisemitic messages that Bardella is said to have sent to another person on Facebook's Messenger platform in 2013. According to France 24, Mediapart published the messages on Monday. On Thursday, it said it had authenticated them. France 24 reported that the messages date from when Bardella was a young party activist.

Mediapart said biographical details in the conversations show the sender was Bardella. According to France 24, it cited a mother born in Italy, a mention of an interview he gave to Le Parisien in 2013, and failing the entrance exam for Sciences Po.

The reports do not describe the content of the messages beyond calling them antisemitic. They do not identify the other person in the conversation or explain how Mediapart obtained it. They do not describe any verification by a party independent of Mediapart, such as a forensic expert or Meta. They include no comment from Meta.

What is disputed

The central question is whether the messages are authentic and were written by Bardella. France 24 quoted Mediapart as saying: "Extracting the conversation makes it possible to date it, to certify that this conversation was not altered after the fact, and to confirm that the person on the other end is listed by Meta/Facebook under the name Jordan Bardella." Mediapart added: "Analysing its content makes it possible to verify that it is indeed the real Jordan Bardella."

Bardella rejects this. According to France 24, he called the material "crude fabrications, obscure and easily manipulated screenshots, repeating revolting remarks that I obviously never made" and described it as "pseudo-evidence".

What each side says

According to France 24, Bardella said on Thursday he would file a legal case against Mediapart for defamation and for "forgery and use of forgeries". The reports do not say whether the complaint has been filed or in which court.

Marine Le Pen said she has "total confidence" in Bardella and referred to a "total war" against her party, France 24 reported.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe, a rival presidential candidate, said that in light of Mediapart's new evidence "it is virtually established" that Bardella made remarks "of an obviously and scandalously antisemitic nature", according to France 24.

Political context

According to France 24, the allegations come seven months before France's presidential election to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. Le Pen, 58, leads opinion polls in her fourth attempt to win the presidency. A poll published on Monday suggested she would lead the first round and win any run-off. The reports do not identify the pollster, sample or figures. Bardella is expected to become prime minister if Le Pen wins. France 24 reported that he has helped the party make inroads among younger voters.

Analysis

The case rests on one origin: Mediapart's own extraction and analysis. Independent verification, for example by forensic experts or Meta, could strengthen or weaken its claims. Bardella's announced legal action may eventually test the evidence in court, though the reports do not say when or where. Politically, the effect is uncertain. The allegations could affect perceptions of the National Rally among voters, including the younger voters Bardella has helped attract. They could also reinforce the party's own account of being targeted. Polls published after the allegations, if any, would offer more evidence than current speculation.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.