France: Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Jew-Baiting Reference to the Jeffrey Epstein Affair

Jean-Luc Mélenchon speaking in Lyon

-By CNEWS

Posted February 27, 2026-Updated February 27, 2026 at 10:32

At a rally Thursday evening in Lyon, Jean-Luc Mélenchon invoked the Epstein affair in playing with the pronunciation of the name of the  American pedophile criminal, (who was) of the Jewish faith. A comment that has provoked the ire of the political class, first and foremost Aurore Bergé, who has accused the leader of (La France) Insoumise party of anti-Semitism.

A comment with a nauseating stench. While the LFI is being criticized by the entire political class for distancing itself from the Jeune Garde movement after the death of the militant Quentin Deranque, a new controversy is brewing since Thursday evening after the remarks of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. In Lyon to lend his support to the top of the list LFI (candidate), Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi, the LFI leader held a rally in the Gaul capital. An opportunity for Jean-Luc Mélenchon to bring up the supposed media silence of the Epstein affair. 

Referring to the investigative work of France Info journalists in judicial affairs, Jean-Luc Mélenchon deplored the supposed violation of “the secret of investigation”. “Except when it concerns the Epstein affair”, he immediately corrected himself, emphasizing the ending of the financier’s last name. 

“Ah… I meant Epstine, pardon me, that sounds more Russian, ‘Epstine’. So now you say, ‘Epstine’ instead of ‘Epstein’. ‘Frankenstine’ instead of ‘Frankenstein’!  And there you have it, everyone understands how it must be said. You can all progress,” declared the three-time presidential candidate. 

The political class up in arms

The comment has provoked the ire of the president of Crif ( Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France), Yonathan Arfi: “Whether J.L.Mélenchon   likes it or not, a 5th grader knows that in English, ‘Epstein’ is pronounced ‘Epstine’. The journalists are only pronouncing an American name …the American way. To see this pronunciation as a manipulation reeks of a conspiracy plot with anti-Semitic undertones.  Whatever the pronunciation, Mélenchon remains synonymous with political disgrace,” he declared.

“In France, the pronunciation ‘-ein” often evokes Jewish (identity). In his attack against France Info, Mélenchon criticized the media that no longer pronounce Epstein as -’ein’. Now you see? Yes, it is surreal and nauseating,” explained on X, journalist and specialist in French literature, Marianna Perebenesiuk. A detail far from insignificant, since Jeffrey Epstein was of the Jewish faith. 

“The new anti-Semitism in France is written in 3 letters: LFI”

Aurore Bergé, Minister of Equality Between Women and Men, was quick to react: “The new anti-Semitism in France is written in 3 letters: LFI. In the face of the LFI, there is only one possible attitude-Combat. Everyone must assume their responsibilities. Everyone must clean house. Not one single vote for these anti-Semites,” added the Macron supporter. 

For Rassemblement National deputy, Matthias Renault, it is a “calculated anti-Semitic outburst from Jean-Luc Mélenchon.”

The same sentiment was echoed from the left side of the political spectrum. The head of the Green party declared on X that, “Nothing is acceptable” in the remarks by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, before stating, “Enough is enough now”.

“For how many decades has a political leader made a hall laugh by throwing out Jewish names, stressing their pronunciation with a hateful grin? This no longer has anything to do with Gaza. It has only to do with the most terrifying anti-Semitism,” the PS (Socialist party) senator, Laurence Rossignol, said angrily.

In response, Jean-Luc Mélenchon denounced a “dismaying reaction from those who see it as anti-Semitism”. And adding: “The brutalization of political life is from the side that wants to silence us through threats and insults at every turn. They are deliberately inciting violence against the LFI.”