Donald Trump desperate to defend Marine Le Pen with 1 brazen question to French judge

Marine Le Pen and US President Donald Trump (Image: GETTY)

Donald Trump’s envoys approached a French judge seeking evidence that the embezzlement case against far-right leader Marine Le Pen was "purely political", the judge has claimed. Magali Lafourcade, 47, a highly experienced Paris magistrate, described the "astonishing" encounter in an interview on France 5 TV. She said two representatives connected to the US Embassy in Paris visited her on May 28, 2025.

The meeting had been scheduled as a routine discussion on human rights, which she frequently holds with diplomats from allied countries. Ms Lafourcade said: "We were supposed to have a discussion about human rights, as I regularly do with diplomats from allied countries. Then, quite quickly, the conversation turned to Marine Le Pen’s criminal situation."

Marine Le Pen is facing embezzlement charges (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The 57-year-old leader of the National Rally is facing a potential ban from running for the French presidency if her conviction stands. Ms Lafourcade said the men wanted to prove that Le Pen was the victim of a "purely political trial to prevent her from running for president."

In March of the previous year, Ms Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling millions of pounds’ worth of EU funds, which prosecutors said were diverted into the coffers of her party. The court also imposed a ban on her holding public office. She has appealed the verdict and remains free on bail.

Ms Lafourcade stated that the representatives were specifically looking "to find proof of interference" in the judicial process.

She admitted she was "surprised at the content of the conversation" and felt compelled to report the meeting to the French Foreign Ministry. Ms Lafourcade explained: "It seemed to me that it was my duty to sound the alert."

Marine Le Pen slams 'lame duck' Emmanuel Macron

Donald Trump, himself a convicted criminal involving hush-money payments to a porn star, has publicly criticised the Le Pen verdict. Mr Trump called it "another example of European leftists using lawfare to silence free speech" and posted the message "Free Marine Le Pen" on Truth Social.

Ms Lafourcade pointed out that the administration of Mr Trump was becoming "well known for interfering with foreign law and order officials."

She referenced the US sanctions imposed on 11 judges from the International Criminal Court, including a French judge who had been involved in approving an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a close ally of Mr Trump.

She described such measures as "forms of intimidation that go beyond the national framework."

The current Ambassador to France for Mr Trump is Charles Kushner, aged 71, who is the father-in-law of Ivanka Trump, 44. Mr Kushner served time in prison for various offences before receiving a pardon from Mr Trump during his presidency.

In December, he invited Marine Le Pen to the US Embassy in Paris for private talks. The American Embassy in France has issued no immediate comment on Ms Lafourcade’s claims.

The appeal court is expected to deliver its verdict in Ms Le Pen’s case this summer. If she loses, her 30-year-old protege Jordan Bardella is anticipated to run as the National Rally candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

Emmanuel Macron, the current president, will be required to leave office after completing his two permitted terms.