COLUMN: Macron Caught in Moscow’s Trap: When Epstein’s Shadow Becomes a Weapon of War

France, the New Target of Russia’s Hybrid War

The timing of this campaign is no coincidence. It comes as France plays a key role in supporting Ukraine, and Macron is seen as one of Russia’s main opponents in Europe. By targeting the French president, Moscow seeks to weaken European unity, sow division, and discredit those who resist its aggression in Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took advantage of the release of the Epstein documents to launch attacks against the “Western elite,” accusing them of “treating children like cattle”—rhetoric reminiscent of the darkest days of Soviet propaganda:refs[7-1,6,7].

But why Epstein? Because his name has become a universal symbol of corruption among the powerful. By linking Macron to this scandal, Russian propagandists know they are striking a nerve: that of distrust toward the elites. And in a climate where conspiracy theories thrive, such an accusation—even one completely without foundation—resonates in a disturbing way. Especially since France isn’t the only target: fake documents have also targeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been accused—without evidence—of having ties to the Epstein network:refs[9-2,22].

I sometimes wonder how prepared we are for this war. Not the one fought with tanks and bombs, but the one waged with algorithms and fake news. A war where the main weapon is our own gullibility. Because yes, we want to believe the worst. Yes, we sometimes prefer a sordid story to a less spectacular truth. And that’s exactly what Moscow is exploiting. Every “like,” every share of a fabricated article, every outraged comment under a manipulated video… it’s a victory for them. A victory over our critical thinking, over our ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. And that is far more dangerous than a tank at the border.

Deepfakes, Fake News, and Identity Theft

The tools used in this campaign are those of disinformation 2.0: deepfakes, cloned websites, and coordinated bot accounts. A video, widely shared on X, claimed to show “evidence” of Macron’s presence at Epstein’s home. In reality, it was a crude montage, but one that was enough to deceive thousands of internet users. Other fake documents, mimicking reports from the U.S. Department of Justice, circulated, claiming that Macron was mentioned in Epstein’s communications. However, as confirmed by AFP, no official document supports these allegations: refs[11-3,17,18].

Social media, particularly X, has become the preferred playground for these operations. According to Viginum, some posts racked up nearly 700,000 views in just a few hours before being (sometimes) deleted. Too late: the damage was already done. The rumor has taken off, and even an official denial is not always enough to stop it:refs[13-3,16].

We live in an era of hyper-connectivity, but also of hyper-manipulation. One click, one share, and a piece of information—true or false—spreads around the world. Platforms promise to combat disinformation, but the results are mixed. Meanwhile, lives are shattered, reputations are tarnished, and democracies are undermined. And what about us in all of this? We are both victims and accomplices. Because sharing sensational news without verifying it is already part of the system. Because believing what suits us is giving ammunition to those who want to divide us. So yes, technology has changed the game. But it’s up to us, as humans, to decide whether we let lies prevail.

Viginum on the front lines, but how far can we go?

Faced with this offensive, France reacted quickly. Viginum issued an alert about the campaign as early as February 4, and the platforms were ordered to remove the fraudulent content. But it’s an uneven battle: for every account suspended, ten more appear. Emmanuel Macron himself has warned against “Russian disinformation campaigns in Europe,” noting that these methods aim to “destabilize our societies”:refs[15-1,18].

On the international front, the European Union and the United States have expressed their support for France. But solutions remain limited. How can we combat networks that operate from abroad, use anonymous servers, and adapt in real time to moderation measures? The answer is not merely technical: it is also political, educational, and civic.

I recall a quote from George Orwell: “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Today, that revolutionary act means refusing to share unverified information. It means taking two minutes to cross-check sources. It means accepting that the truth is sometimes less spectacular than a lie. But it also means demanding that platforms take responsibility. Because freedom of speech is not the freedom to lie. And democracy is not a battlefield where anything goes.

When Tragedy Becomes a Political Weapon

The Epstein case is, in and of itself, a monstrous scandal. Hundreds of victims, powerful figures implicated, a justice system that took years to act. But today, this tragedy is being co-opted, hijacked, and turned into a propaganda tool. The real victims—those who suffered abuse at the hands of Epstein and his network—find themselves drowned out by a flood of conspiracy theories and manipulation. Their suffering is being exploited to serve geopolitical interests: refs[17-17,19,21].

Worse still: by linking Macron to Epstein without evidence, Russian propagandists are trivializing child sexual abuse. They are turning it into a mere communication tool, a means of discrediting an opponent. It is as if Epstein’s crimes were nothing more than a pretext, yet another weapon in their arsenal.

There are things that should remain sacred. The suffering of victims is one of them. Using them as bargaining chips in a war for influence is adding insult to injury. And by spreading these rumors, we become complicit in this secondary victimization. So yes, we must denounce the lies. Yes, we must demand accountability. But let us never forget that behind the names of Epstein, Maxwell, and others, there are shattered lives. Lives that deserve better than to be reduced to hashtags or political weapons.

The Tell-Tale Signs

Given the scale of these operations, how can you tell what’s real from what’s fake? There are several red flags to watch out for:

The source
: an article published on an unknown website, or one imitating a well-known media outlet (such as France-Soir in this case).
<strong-The tone: sensationalist accusations, lacking nuance or tangible evidence.

Virality
: a story that suddenly goes viral on social media, often shared by accounts exhibiting suspicious behavior (recently created, few followers, intense activity focused on a single topic).

Lack of corroboration
: no mention in traditional media, or swift denials from authorities.

In the case of Macron and Epstein, no official document mentions a link between the two. The “evidence” presented is either fake or doctored: refs[19-17,18,20].

We all have a role to play. You don’t need to be an expert to spot a fake. Sometimes all it takes is asking yourself a simple question: “Does this story seem too good (or too terrible) to be true?” If the answer is yes, it probably is. And when in doubt, the best course of action is still not to share it. Because false information spreads at the speed of light. But a tarnished reputation takes much longer to repair.

Disinformation: An Ongoing Threat

This case is just one more episode in a war that has been raging for years. Russia is not the only one using these methods: China, Iran, and even actors within democracies themselves resort to disinformation to influence public opinion. But the scale and sophistication of Russian operations make them a particular threat.

For democracies, the challenge is immense: how can we protect freedom of expression while combating manipulation? How can we educate citizens without resorting to censorship? The answers aren’t simple, but one thing is certain: inaction is not an option. Because with every disinformation campaign that succeeds, a little more trust crumbles away. And a democracy without trust is a democracy in danger.

I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic. I am angry. Angry at those who lie, of course. But also at us, for letting it happen. Because we have the tools to resist. Because deep down, we know that the truth is worth defending. So yes, it’s a daily struggle. Yes, it’s exhausting. But that’s the price we pay to live in a society where facts still matter more than rumors. And that’s priceless.

Resist, Verify, Educate

In the face of this threat, we have several options:

Strengthen the resources of agencies like Viginum
to detect and counter disinformation campaigns.

Demand greater transparency from platforms
regarding bot accounts, recommendation algorithms, and sponsored content.

Teach
critical thinking, source verification, and how to spot fake news
starting in school
.

Support independent and rigorous journalism
capable of resisting pressure and manipulation.

But above all, each of us must become an active participant in the resistance. By verifying information before sharing it. By reporting suspicious content. By refusing to let lies dictate the public debate.

I don’t believe in miracle solutions. I do, however, believe in the power of small actions. Every time you choose not to share unverified information, you win a battle. Every time you cross-check sources, you weaken the manipulators. And every time you demand the truth, you strengthen democracy. So yes, it’s a long-term struggle. But it’s ours. And our shared future depends on it.

Let’s not let lies write our history

The fake news scandal involving Macron and Epstein is a stark reminder: disinformation is not inevitable. It is a weapon, and like any weapon, it can be countered. But to do so, we must be aware of it. We must refuse to become unwitting soldiers in a war that is beyond our control. Every day, we must choose the side of truth.

Because, deep down, that’s the real question: what kind of world do we want to leave for those who come after us? A world where lies triumph, where mistrust reigns, where democracy is nothing more than an empty word? Or a world where facts still matter, where debate is possible, where truth remains a value?

I don’t have a ready-made answer. Just one certainty: if we give up, we’ve already lost. So yes, it’s difficult. Yes, it’s discouraging at times. But we have no choice. Because democracy must be defended. Not with weapons, not with violence. But with simple, everyday actions. By remaining vigilant. By refusing to let ourselves be manipulated. By continuing to believe that the truth—even if it’s fragile, even if it’s under attack from all sides—always triumphs in the end. So today, tomorrow, and every day after that, let’s choose to resist. Because that’s what it means to be a citizen. Not just voting. But defending, every day, what we believe in.

Signed, Jacques Provost