Revelations by Mediapart, a French investigative news outlet, about antisemitic writings attributed to Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN), have sparked significant political controversy. The articles, dated from 2013 when Bardella was a young militant of the National Front, include statements such as "the Jew must dominate other peoples, crush them and steal from them" and "banks (all held by Jews)." Bardella has denied authorship of these statements, calling them "gross forgeries" and announcing plans to file defamation and forgery lawsuits against Mediapart. Mediapart’s investigation, based on documentary sources and testimonies, claims to have verified the authenticity of the documents. François Ruffin, a former Insoumise deputy and current member of Picardie Debout, criticized the RN, stating that "the party has not changed" and that its "culture" remains rooted in antisemitism, referencing historical figures such as Édouard Drumont and Alain Soral. He argued that the RN's image has been "painted over" with superficial changes, but its core remains the same. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly and member of the Renaissance party, called for the truth to be revealed, stating that the Republic has the right to know who its political leaders are. She criticized the RN's "de-diabolization" promises, suggesting that voters may feel "thunderstruck" to learn they have been misled about the party's true nature. She also referenced a statement by RN deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy, which she claimed was a reference to the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei." Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, defended Bardella and criticized Mediapart, urging them to "put on their Kevlar suit." This statement was met with criticism from Emmanuel Macron, who condemned the "linguistic violence" of the RN and described the statements as "serious and unacceptable." Macron called on the RN to "clarify the line, the words, and the people within their party" and emphasized that fighting antisemitism is a priority for the Republic. Jordan Bardella responded to Macron's comments by stating that he "walked in the streets of Paris and went to Israel" after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, suggesting that Macron did not participate in the anti-antisemitism march organized by the National Assembly and Senate presidents. He also criticized the "total war" being waged against the RN and claimed that the revelations are part of a broader effort to "politically eliminate" him. Fabrice Arfi, co-responsible for Mediapart’s investigations, stated that the editorial team is prepared to make the evidence public "in due time" and emphasized that the media would not risk its reputation unless they are "200% sure" of the authenticity of the documents. He also dismissed threats from the RN as "sliding off the Kevlar suits." Julien Aubert, vice-president of Les Republicains, suggested that if the accusations are proven, Marine Le Pen could be held responsible. Meanwhile, Jérôme Bourbon, director of Rivarol, described the revelations as "completely credible" and noted that such statements were common among militants of the old National Front. The Jewish community has shown mixed reactions, with some expressing anger and others expressing skepticism about the credibility of the revelations. Anthony, a 28-year-old member of the Jewish community, criticized Bardella for what he described as a "double game," suggesting that the statements could damage the trust between the Jewish community and the RN. International media, including Der Spiegel and Tageszeitung, have commented on the revelations, noting that the RN's efforts to rebrand have not erased its historical ties to antisemitism. The situation has also raised concerns about the future of free press in France, with some suggesting that the RN's potential rise to power could threaten media independence. The controversy has also seen internal reactions within the RN, with some members expressing disbelief and others defending Bardella. The political landscape remains tense as the situation continues to unfold.