U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen following her recent conviction for embezzling European Union funds—a ruling that now prevents her from running in France’s 2027 presidential election.

In a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, Trump slammed the court’s decision as politically driven.
“She suffered losses, but kept on going, and now, just before what would be a Big Victory, they get her on a minor charge that she probably knew nothing about – Sounds like a ‘bookkeeping’ error to me,” Trump wrote.

Le Pen was handed a five-year ban from holding public office by a Paris court earlier this week, a verdict seen as a major setback to her long-held ambition of succeeding President Emmanuel Macron. The court found Le Pen and over two dozen officials from her National Rally (RN) party guilty of misusing EU funds that were designated for parliamentary aides. Le Pen’s legal team has said they plan to appeal the ruling.

The conviction has intensified political friction in France, with RN members denouncing what they claim is judicial interference in the democratic process. French Prime Minister François Bayrou defended the ruling, telling lawmakers on Tuesday that he “unconditionally supported” the judiciary’s independence.

Amid rising tensions, the lead judge in the case has reportedly been placed under police protection after receiving death threats, according to a source cited by Reuters.

Trump’s public endorsement of Le Pen highlights the ideological parallels often drawn between the two leaders, both known for their populist rhetoric, hardline immigration policies, and open disdain for political elites. His backing reinforces the growing international dimension of right-wing political alliances.