Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a deputy from the National Rally (RN), has revisited his recent statement, "work makes free," which sparked controversy after it was shared online. The phrase, made during a meeting in Vierzon, was quickly linked to the German "Arbeit macht frei," which was inscribed at the entrance of Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. Tanguy denied any connection to the Nazi regime, stating he had no intention of referencing the Holocaust or its atrocities. During an interview with BFMTV, Tanguy explained that his comments were meant to highlight the importance of work in achieving freedom and security. He emphasized that his statement was part of a broader discussion about the value of employment and social rights. A short video clip of his remarks, which circulated widely on social media, showed him saying, "yes, work makes free," a phrase that many interpreted as a coded message to neo-Nazis. Several political figures and commentators reacted strongly to the statement. Nathalie Loiseau, a European deputy from Horizons, criticized the remark as a deliberate provocation, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that it was a "dog whistle" for neo-Nazis. Antoine Léaument, from La France insoumise, expressed concern, stating that either Tanguy was unaware of the phrase's history or was deliberately using it to incite hatred. Others, like François Ruffin from the Ecologist and Social group, called the statement a "slip of the tongue" that referenced Nazi Germany. In response to the backlash, Tanguy expressed regret that his words, taken out of context, could have caused pain to those who had suffered under the Nazi regime. He said he would "apologize" for any unintended harm and criticized what he called the "twisted spirit" behind the controversy. He also defended himself against what he described as deliberate misinterpretation, stating that those who sought to defame him knew he had no connection to the Nazi ideology. Tanguy concluded by emphasizing the importance of context in understanding his message.