Jean-Luc Mélenchon in Lyon, France, on February 26, 2026. BRUNO AMSELLEM/DIVERGENCE FOR LE MONDE
French radical left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has sparked new accusations of antisemitism after mocking the pronunciation of the name "Epstein" during a political rally in Lyon. Speaking on Thursday evening, Mélenchon invoked the name of Jeffrey Epstein, after recent disclosures detailed the convicted sex offender's extensive ties to the world's rich, famous and powerful.
"When it comes to the 'Epshtine' case – oh, I meant 'Epsteen,' sorry. That sounds more Russian, 'Epsteen,' right?" said the La France Insoumise (LFI) leader. "So now you'll say 'Ensteen' instead of Einstein, 'Frankensteen' instead of Frankenstein," he told a laughing audience.
The comments, which came ahead of municipal elections next month, sparked outrage from across the political spectrum. Mélenchon, 74, rejected accusations of antisemitism, calling his comments "ironic."
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