The number of alleged operations targeting Gabriel Attal rose to four after two new incidents over the past two weeks. Attal, leader of France’s Renaissance party and a presidential candidate, was targeted with various forms of fabricated content in these operations.
On Wednesday, 10 fake news stories and fabricated newspaper headlines circulated on social media. The content contained false information about Attal’s health and made baseless corruption accusations against the politician.
Another incident took place on August 12. It involved an AI-generated video showing caricatures of the former prime minister projected onto Paris’s Pantheon. One of the caricatures was accompanied by insulting messages.
Philippe and Glucksmann also targeted
Other figures targeted by similar operations include Edouard Philippe, leader of the Horizons party and a former prime minister, and Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament. Both politicians are considered potential presidential candidates.
Complaints filed over foreign interference
Attal’s lawyers announced that their client had filed a complaint on August 7 over foreign interference. Glucksmann also filed a complaint on August 12 on the same grounds.