Eric Zemmour, the outspoken French anti-globalist and former presidential candidate, along with his partner, MEP Sarah Knafo, has secured an exclusive spot at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration later this month, according to sources close to the couple.
This development underscores Zemmour’s continued influence and poses a potential setback for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, France’s largest anti-globalist party, as they navigate a changing geopolitical landscape.
While Zemmour and Knafo prepare for Washington, Le Pen, the longtime face of France’s anti-globalist movement, has yet to receive an invitation. An aide confirmed her absence from the list as of Monday but wouldn’t speculate on whether she’d attend if invited.
The details of Zemmour’s and Knafo’s invitation remain murky, with no confirmation from Trump’s team. Still, their inclusion signals a shift in alliances within Europe’s anti-globalist circles. Despite initial assumptions of synergy between Trump and Le Pen, the two have never formed a robust connection, unlike Trump’s more natural alliances with leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán or Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
Interestingly, Zemmour and Knafo’s economic outlook aligns more closely with tech magnate Elon Musk than with Le Pen’s protectionist stance. Musk, who’s recently stirred European politics by endorsing Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), attended the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral alongside Trump and has become a vocal figure in transatlantic political discourse.
For Zemmour, this invitation represents a political resurgence. After his meteoric but short-lived presidential campaign in 2022, where he garnered just 7% of the vote, Zemmour’s influence seemed to wane. Yet, Knafo has tirelessly worked to maintain ties with Trump’s camp, even attending a Trump event in October.
Le Pen, by contrast, faces a complex balancing act. Memories of her failed 2017 attempt to meet Trump in New York still linger, and Trump’s proposed tariffs could strain her voter base, comprised largely of French blue-collar workers. Meanwhile, her push to mainstream the National Rally contrasts with Trump’s unapologetic and unpredictable style.
Despite the challenges, the National Rally is assembling a delegation to attend the inauguration, invited or not. As one of Le Pen’s advisers put it, “It’s not useless to build contacts with the new president of the world’s greatest power; it’s almost a republican duty.”
For Zemmour, though, this invitation isn’t just about symbolism—it’s a political coup. By securing a place at Trump’s side, Zemmour reinforces his relevance and his commitment to the shared anti-globalist vision he once described as taking direct advice from Trump himself.
