French media report on Russian disinformation campaign targeting Macron with false claims about Jeffrey Epstein.
Russia Uses Epstein Files in Disinformation Campaign
Independent portal The Insider published an analysis by Bot Blocker researchers revealing that the Kremlin-linked bot network “Matryoshka” has launched a disinformation campaign about new Jeffrey Epstein documents. Fake covers of French newspapers like Le Parisien and Liberation were created, falsely claiming Emmanuel Macron had visited Epstein’s island multiple times.
According to Reuters, these fake covers were spread on the X platform. Journalists contacted Macron’s office asking if he had ever met Epstein but have not yet received a response.
France-Soir Portal Also Impersonated
The France-Soir portal also became a victim of this disinformation tactic. On Wednesday, the portal published a statement clarifying that France-Soir.net has no connection with FranceSoir.fr, and warned against clicking on links to the impersonating site.
The editorial stated, “We are doing everything in our power, together with our lawyers, to stop this misrepresentation and protect the rights of readers, as well as the historical brand of France-Soir. Thank you for your vigilance.”
French Authorities Detect Campaign
According to Le Monde, Agence France-Presse (AFP) unofficially established that France’s government agency against foreign internet interference, Viginum, detected the disinformation campaign on Wednesday.
Reuters reported that the operation used tactics characteristic of the pro-Russian group Storm-1516, which US authorities say was responsible for spreading disinformation during the 2024 US presidential campaign.
