Nothing is going well in the conspiracy sphere anymore. The two figures of "reinformation" Richard Boutry and Xavier Azalbert accuse each other of disclosing false news. The first accuses the second of being "malicious" and belonging to a "mafia". Accusations deemed false and also malicious on the part of Xavier Azalbert.
The former star presenter of France Télévisions Richard Boutry has become in a few years a reference in terms of conspiracy as well as the "journalist to shoot", as indicated by the title of his book published in April 2023. It is the same for Xavier Azalbert, buyer of France Soir, a site that regularly publishes false information and takes up any type of conspiracy theory.
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Following the release of his book, the figurehead of antivax gave an interview to Eric Verhaeghe's blog, Le Courrier des stratèges, also known to be close to the conspiracy sphere. An interview that ignited the powder between the two men.
The former presenter accuses France Soir of illegally occupying his premises located Place des Invalides, all for a derisory rent. After explaining that Xavier Azalbert used him to give legitimacy to France Soir, Richard Boutry accuses him of not having deliberately broadcast an interview concerning the Libyan affair as well as of maintaining relations with relatives of Emmanuel Macron.
Revelations to which Xavier Azalbert hastened to respond. He evokes "very contradictory remarks" that "never cease to amaze [him]". In this right of reply, the editor of France Soir justifies himself on each of the points mentioned by Richard Boutry, namely the lease of France Soir, the Libyan affair and the links with Macron and McKinsey.
"A lot of bitterness" between the two men since France Soir
This "right of immediate reply" gave rise to a new response from Richard Boutry on Twitter. In this video, he says "denounce this mafia" as well as a "controlled opposition".
Boutry who describes Azalbert as a controlled opposition and questions the lease of France Soir as well as the press cards of his team. Knowing Azalbert, it will end up in court.
We sit down and watch. 🍿 https://t.co/6zD2yzv9IE
— Tristan Mendès France (@tristanmf) May 21, 2023
"He is a conspiracy theorist who advances information and data so it is to be taken with caution," warns Tristan Mendès France, a specialist in conspiracy nebula. In addition, the associate lecturer at the University of Paris Diderot recalls that there is "a lot of bitterness in the way the two men separated in France Soir".
This type of clash between conspiracy figures is not really a novelty and they rise very quickly in sauce, "because we have on both sides individuals who have a very distended relationship with reality and who often fantasize about conspiracies and imagine things that do not exist. Reason can never sift the debate," he continues.
The mere mention of the words McKinsey and Emmanuel Macron seems to be a very specific strategy on the part of Richard Boutry, who uses them in order to "annihilate his opponent", the base of the two men being very receptive to this type of argument, adds the specialist in digital cultures.
Tristan Mendès France would not be surprised to see Xavier Azalbert file a complaint. "Knowing the character, he is very quick to appeal to justice to attack these opponents. So if there is no evidence, he could sue him for defamation. »