French far-right leader Eric Zemmour visited Washington, embracing the MAGA movement and seeking alliances with the transatlantic right. His visit contrasts with other European nationalist figures distancing themselves from Donald Trump.
Eric Zemmour's active embrace of the MAGA movement and Donald Trump signals a potential realignment within the European far-right, contrasting with other nationalist leaders who have sought distance, potentially impacting transatlantic political dynamics.
Eric Zemmour, the leader of France's far-right Reconquest party, visited Washington, embracing the MAGA movement and seeking to rally the transatlantic right. Nominally in town to promote an English translation of his book "The Suicide of France," Zemmour used the trip to engage with leading figures of the Trumpist right, including events at the Heritage Foundation and American Moment.
Zemmour framed his visit as a call for Western peoples to resist the path he believes France has taken, emphasizing his anti-immigration platform and linking it to President Trump's policies. He suggested that his ideas predated Trump's entry into politics and were not exclusive to the MAGA movement. This approach contrasts with many European nationalist leaders who have recently distanced themselves from Trump due to electoral setbacks.
At a private event hosted by American Moment, Zemmour spoke to an audience of conservative operatives and staffers, drawing parallels between his political identity and Trump's. He also downplayed potential political risks of association, criticizing France's National Rally party for embracing statist economic policies and stating that Trump "incarnates" the revolt of identity in the U.S., while he embodies it in France.
Zemmour's visit comes amid speculation about a potential 2027 presidential bid in France. His past convictions for hate speech and controversial views on French history have drawn comparisons to American commentator Tucker Carlson. Zemmour stated he does not know Carlson personally but acknowledged his criticisms of Trump's foreign policy. He indicated that Israel is part of "the West" and thus part of "us," rejecting a Carlson-style critique of the country.