Center · Read · October 21, 2026
Oct 21 · Macron vows to stop Saturday rioters, calls foreign leaders' comments 'stupid'
FRANCE 24: Macron says world leaders have made 'stupid' comments on France riots based on fake AI videos
Grade D (64/100). Macron blames AI fakes for foreign leaders' 'stupid' comments; Saturday crackdown
Lehrer score 64/100 (−18 unnamed source/unsourced figure: Macron was criticised in some quarters at home for undertaking a visit to the Middle East at such a time; −18 unnamed source/unsourced figure: the rioting – the worst France has seen in years). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → D.
Macron was criticised in some quarters at home for undertaking a visit to the Middle East at such a time; the rioting – the worst France has seen in years
Agrees: 'Those who want to cause disorder in city centres next Saturday will be prevented from doing so'
Splits: Adds AI-generated videos angle, Netanyahu quote, curfews
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #8: Do not use anonymous sources except on rare occasions (Macron was criticised in some quarters at home for undertaking a visit to the Middle East at such a time)
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #1: Do nothing I cannot defend (unattributed characterization) (the rioting – the worst France has seen in years)
Same story: The Guardian, Fox News