French journalist Melissa Bell, in her recently published book Under American Influence, argues that France will face a major challenge during its upcoming presidential campaign from the influence of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) ideological movement. Bell claims that the Trump administration has been working for years to shift political debates in Europe toward the hard right, a strategy she says European democracies struggle to counter more than they do Russian interference. According to Bell, American influence in Europe can take various forms, including direct political support. For example, during Hungary’s April legislative elections, U.S. officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance visited the country shortly before the vote. They promoted American investments and supported outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has led an "illiberal" government for over a decade. Bell believes such interference is not only possible in France but is already an "obvious fact." France is a key target for American influence due to its strategic position in Europe. Washington, according to Bell, opposes a strong European Union, much like major American tech and social media companies oppose European regulations. She argues that American influence is harder to detect and counter because it operates subtly. She points out that despite repeated claims of being allies, the U.S. is no longer seen as a true partner to Europe. This influence, she says, is like a "bulldozer" pushing forward with the full power of the American administration and social media platforms like X, owned by Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump. In addition to direct political interference, American influence is also carried out through research centers and think tanks. Bell explains that the American right, particularly the MAGA movement, believes that cultural battles are the first step in shaping political debates. She notes that the hard right in the U.S. has been shifting the political discourse in Europe, making ideas that were once considered radical more acceptable. For example, abortion was not a major political topic in Europe before the 2010s but has become one now. These think tanks gain credibility by presenting their ideas as scientific reports, which are then amplified in a media environment increasingly shaped by right-wing voices. However, Bell concludes that despite these efforts, "our votes belong to us," citing the case of Hungary, where Viktor Orban was defeated in recent elections despite American support.