Rassemblement National leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella must again justify their closeness to Donald Trump, as in the 2017 and 2022 elections. On a January 25, 2026, TV show, Bardella defended himself against accusations of fervent support for the US president.
The Rassemblement National (RN) is navigating tensions stemming from its historical ties to Donald Trump. As in 2017 and 2022, leaders Marine Le Pen and party president Jordan Bardella face questions about their closeness to the US president and his circle.
On January 25, 2026, during the 'Punchline' show on CNews and Europe 1, hosted by Laurence Ferrari, Bardella addressed burning international news dominated by Trump's voracious interest in Greenland. This Danish autonomous territory drew the American leader's attention before he partially backtracked at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Ferrari noted that Bardella had been a 'fervent supporter' of Trump. The 30-year-old RN leader defended himself, stating: 'I praised Donald Trump's patriotism in an era when President Trump defended, and still defends, American interests. But if you'll allow me, my comments were much broader than that.' This response highlights the recurring challenges for the RN, which must balance admiration for Trump's style with international backlash. The party fears a 'backlash' that could harm its electoral strategy in France.
