Tensions rose sharply on Monday evening on LCI during the program "La Grande Confrontation ," hosted by David Pujadas. While National Rally MP Laurent Jacobelli was debating with La France Insoumise MP Sarah Legrain, actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz interrupted, accusing the National Rally representative of lying. Despite the host's attempts to calm him down, the actor continued speaking, provoking an unusual reaction from David Pujadas, who stood up and removed the microphone to allow the MP to finish his statement.
Laurent Jacobelli accuses Sarah Legrain of justifying attacks against CNews journalists
The incident occurred during an edition of La Grande Confrontation dedicated to the question "Are the media (really) guilty?" . Several political figures, journalists and observers were gathered to debate freedom of expression, pluralism and criticisms of news channels.
About an hour into the broadcast, Laurent Jacobelli sharply challenged Sarah Legrain about the attacks suffered by some CNews journalists. The National Rally MP for Moselle declared: “I’m quite stunned. I worked in broadcasting for 20 years, and I just heard a member of parliament, when a CNews commentator explains that journalists from the channel are being attacked, say that they had it coming.”
He then criticized the left-wing politician for having asked herself, "Ask yourselves why?" in reference to these attacks. Sarah Legrain immediately contested this interpretation of his remarks: "You're talking nonsense, when did I say they had it coming?" The discussion quickly devolved into a verbal confrontation, with the two politicians speaking simultaneously.
"You just lied!" Mathieu Kassovitz grabs the microphone
While David Pujadas was trying to restore calm and let Laurent Jacobelli continue his speech, Mathieu Kassovitz grabbed Sarah Legrain's microphone to defend the LFI deputy.
The director of La Haine directly accused the RN deputy of having distorted the words of his political opponent: "You just lied!" An accusation that immediately caused a new rise in tension on the set.
David Pujadas tried to interrupt the comedian to remind him of the rules of the debate. But Mathieu Kassovitz insisted, refusing to let Laurent Jacobelli continue without first correcting what he considered to be a falsehood.
Exasperated by the interruptions, the presenter then warned: "I'm going to get up, stop, stop! Everyone speaks in turn. Now it's Laurent Jacobelli's turn. Otherwise, you're shooting yourself in the foot, Mathieu Kassovitz!"
Despite this intervention, the actor continued to defend Sarah Legrain, while the RN deputy waited for his turn to speak again.
David Pujadas gets up and takes the microphone from Mathieu Kassovitz.
Faced with the impossibility of re-establishing an orderly exchange, David Pujadas left his seat to approach Mathieu Kassovitz. The journalist reminded him that Laurent Jacobelli had not interrupted him while he was speaking: "You spoke, he didn't interrupt you."
The actor nevertheless continued his argument: "She didn't say they deserved it. That's not the same sentence, sir, that's what disinformation is!"
Laurent Jacobelli replied: "You really have trouble listening to others." David Pujadas then insisted that everyone respect the speaking time of their opponents, without immediately managing to stop the interruptions.
Mathieu Kassovitz continued to argue that Sarah Legrain's question did not justify the attacks against CNews journalists. However, the presenter felt that this point had already been made and that it was time to let the National Rally MP respond.
After several unsuccessful attempts, David Pujadas finally took the microphone from the actor before returning to his seat. This gesture provoked laughter among the guests present on the set.
"That way, I have two microphones, I'm happy": Pujadas regains control of the debate
Back in his seat, David Pujadas chose humor to lighten the mood, while firmly maintaining his decision: "That way, I have two microphones, I'm happy. No, but everyone takes their turn, that's the rule of debate if we want to try to be understandable."
The presenter then gave the floor back to Laurent Jacobelli so that he could respond to Mathieu Kassovitz's accusations and continue his exchange with Sarah Legrain.
The incident particularly affected this program dedicated to freedom of expression and the workings of the media. The debate also included Prisca Thévenot, Philippe Val, Alain Jakubowicz, Thomas Legrand, Audrey Pulvar, Patrick Chêne, and Mathieu Bock-Côté.
A few days after his confrontation with Charles Consigny on RMC
This televised altercation follows another particularly tense exchange involving Mathieu Kassovitz. A few days earlier, the actor had already sparked controversy during his appearance on the RMC radio show "Les Grandes Gueules ".
He had criticized the hosts and some of the panelists for allowing what he considered racist remarks to be made. The comedian had specifically challenged Charles Consigny, provoking a verbal confrontation after which the lawyer and commentator left the set.
On LCI, this time, Mathieu Kassovitz did not leave the program. After retrieving his microphone, David Pujadas was able to continue "La Grande Confrontation" and give the floor back to RN MP Laurent Jacobelli.
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