Michel Drucker explained why he has always refused to welcome the Le Pen family and members of the National Rally onto his shows. The presenter, a historical figure in French television, stands by a choice he presents as linked to his family history and personal convictions.
For several decades, Michel Drucker has hosted numerous political, artistic, and media personalities on his shows. But he maintains that he has always drawn a line regarding Jean-Marie Le Pen, his family, and, more broadly, representatives of the far right.
"Without this left wing, I wouldn't have been French."
To justify this position, Michel Drucker recalls his family's history, who were naturalized French citizens under the Popular Front. He explains that he has remained very attached to this period and what it represents for his parents. “My family was naturalized French 90 years ago by Léon Blum’s left-wing government. I am very attached to that era and I have remained loyal to my parents. Without that left-wing government, I wouldn’t be French. I never had the Le Pens on my shows. I’ve had all kinds of politicians on, but Le Pen was very difficult for me.”he says.
A decision that has been criticized
Michel Drucker acknowledges that this stance earned him criticism. Some resented him for not inviting the Le Pens onto his shows, while he had opened his programs to other political figures, including prominent left-wing personalities. He specifically mentions Arlette Laguiller, Jean-Luc Mélenchon when he was a minister, and Olivier Besancenot. For him, the difference stemmed from a personal connection to his family history.
"Having far-right people on my show, my mother would never have forgiven me."
The presenter emphasizes the weight of his origins and his parents' past in this decision. He states that hosting far-right figures would have been impossible for him given what his family has experienced. "Regardless of my personal problems, coming from where I come from and considering my parents' past, it's true that having far-right people on my show, that's something my mother wouldn't have forgiven me for."explains Michel Drucker.
Shows focused on life, not politics
Michel Drucker also offers another reason: the nature of his shows. According to him, his programs weren't designed as spaces for political debate, but rather as opportunities to discuss the personal journeys, careers, families, and lives of his guests. This is also why he says he didn't consider having the Le Pen family as a guest. He mentions a complex family history, marked by tensions surrounding Jean-Marie Le Pen, his ex-wife, and his daughters. “We don’t talk about politics on my shows, but about life, and I couldn’t imagine having the Le Pen family on, a family in pieces, completely fractured. Jean-Marie Le Pen’s life, his ex-wife, his relationship with his daughters… It was impossible.”, he says.
A line he has never disavowed.
With these statements, Michel Drucker confirms a position he says he has maintained throughout his career. The television host acknowledges that he has not extended the same openness to all political figures, citing his personal history and the memory of his parents. His refusal to welcome the Le Pens and members of the National Rally thus appears as a deliberate and assertive choice. A decision he attributes less to a media strategy than to family loyalty.
