Unrelated video shared as Marine Le Pen 'crying' after losing French election

What is the claim?

An image circulating on social media claims to show French politician Marine Le Pen crying after losing the French elections. The image shows Le Pen with one hand on her cheek, appearing to wipe away tears. 

Several users shared the image on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), making the same claim. One user on Facebook wrote, "Putin's Islamophobic, white supremacist, fascist French ally Marine Le Pen, who called for restoring diplomatic relations with Bashar al Assad and was enthusiastically endorsed by Netanhahu's allies in Israel, is upset at losing another election in France." Another post with 116,000 likes said, "Inspired by Marine Le Pen meltdown upon losing the French election, please enjoy this thread of SAD FASCISTS CRYING." Archived versions of such posts can be found here and here. 

Screenshots of social media posts. (Source: X/Facebook/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the claim is false. An image from an old video of Le Pen laughing during an interview has been shared as proof of her breaking down after a coalition of left-wing parties dashed the far-right party's hopes of an absolute majority in the French parliament.

How did we find the truth?

We noticed "Europe 1" written on the microphone in front of Le Pen and on the banner behind Le Pen. Europe 1 is a Europe-based radio network. 

We found the image has been taken from a video posted initially by Europe 1 on their YouTube channel (archived here) on October 9, 2021. The video is titled in French, which translates to "When Marine Le Pen cried with laughter at Nicolas Canteloup's imitations." The video's description states it was originally recorded in 2017 when Le Pen was invited to journalist Thomas Sotto's morning show. "The president of the National Rally party laughed out loud at his impersonations, particularly one of Jean-Jacques Bourdin," the video description adds.

Canteloup, a French impressionist, was on the panel. The video's title and description suggest Le Pen laughed at Canteloup's imitations of the guests.

The original video is 13 minutes long, and the viral image was taken from the 12:02-minute time frame. At this time stamp, Le Pen cries, laughing at Canteloup's mimicry, and touches her cheek to wipe the tears away, as seen in the viral image. We watched the full video and noted that she only laughed throughout it. 

Screenshots of social media posts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

Several French media organizations also reported the incident. According to one report, the section, as seen in the viral video, was the comedian imitating French journalist and radio presenter Jean-Jacques Bourdin, saying, "We decided to leave you for someone younger, more desirable. We have to face the facts, Marine; I couldn't make you break through the glass ceiling." 

With Le Pen laughing, Canteloup continued, "Yes, your little glass ceiling. So, I know you're upset, Marine. It's better to leave it there and live other adventures, each on our own, don't you think? From now on, on RMC, we're going to go part of the way with Emmanuel Macron."

Clearly, an image from an old video that predates the recently held French elections, which saw Le Pen laughing at mimicry, has been used to claim that it shows her in tears after the recent election results.

The French elections

France recently concluded its 2024 Parliamentary election with a two-round voting process on June 30 and July 7. All 577 National Assembly seats were contested. While Le Pen's far-right National Rally party was projected to lead, the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, comprising Greens, Socialists, Communists and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) secured the most seats in the National Assembly, picking up 193. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron's camp came second in the snap poll, taking 164 seats. Despite not performing as well as projected, National Rally, gained ground since its 89 seats in 2022. However, no party achieved a majority, resulting in a hung parliament. 

The verdict

An old image of Marine Le Pen laughing during an interview has been shared with the false claim that she was crying over the French election results. The viral image dates back to 2017 and is unrelated.