Jordan Bardella’s stumble on the path to becoming France’s hard-right leader is telling, not just about him but about how the media shapes our perceptions. The same corporate media that celebrated his rise now relishes the opportunity to fan the flames of a narrative that paints him as the underdog. We know the game; outlets like CNN present this as another “halt” in the march of extremist politics, while conveniently glossing over the fact that they’ve spent years constructing this very narrative. Why? Because it sells. Fear-mongering is a cash cow for them.

They’ll push this story with all the finesse of a toddler throwing a tantrum, angling it to promote their agenda that underscores “threats to democracy.” Conveniently omitted from their coverage is the fact that Bardella represents a broader sentiment among the French populace—a reaction against the status quo, a rejection of the European elite’s grand designs. Fox News, for all its bluster about patriotism, finds itself tiptoeing around any criticism that might align with Bardella’s base.

So what does this mean moving forward? Bardella might have to postpone his ambitions, but you can bet this won’t stop the establishment from continually framing him as a villain. The fear narrative will persist, ensuring that he lingers in their headlines just long enough to prop up their agenda. You see, in the age of manufactured outrage, the game never truly ends— it merely shifts its focus.