Left-wing pop star Cher cleared former vice president Joe Biden of worries over inappropriate behavior, saying that his touching during a hug didn’t make her feel uncomfortable.

“Once spent time talking 2 Joe Biden In His Office. I asked Point-ed Questions,” Cher said Thursday.

“As Time Passed I Found Him Forthright,Kind,& Smart. At Meetings End He Walked Me 2 The &Gave Me A HUG. I Was Fine With It,But That,Was ‘MY’ Experience. HE MUST COMMIT 2 B’AWARE,& CARE’ABOUT WOMENS SPACE.’”

Biden, who is mulling a run for president, has faced scrutiny over the last week over his past of touchy behavior around women and girls.

Several women have come forward to claim that he made them uncomfortable with his actions like touching, kissing, and smelling their hair. Biden released a video this week to address the allegations, saying that while he had been affectionate in the past, he understood the concerns of his critics.

President Trump mocked Biden with a viral social media post Thursday, saying, “WELCOME BACK JOE!”

Cher’s social media rants frequently veer into the absurd and vulgar.

Last month, the 72-year-old claimed that the president kisses the “asses” of “DICTATORS,CHILD MOLESTERS, MURDERS, WIFE BEATERS, ANTISEMITES, WHITE SUPREMACISTS, HATER OF ANY SKIN NOT LILY WHITE.”

The FBI has arrested a California man who they believe is responsible for hacking the campaign website of one of former Rep. Katie HillKatherine (Katie) Lauren HillRepublican Party sending mailer labeled census ahead of official forms Katie Hill launches organization to elect women, young people Katie Hill: ‘Biphobia’ led to resignation from Congress MORE‘s (D-Calif.) Democratic rivals leading up to the 2018 primary.

Arthur Dam, whose wife Kelsey O’Hara was Hill’s fundraiser during the campaign and later her district director, is accused of coordinating cyberattacks against Bryan Caforio, one of Hill’s Democratic rivals.

Dam’s arrest and the criminal complaint against him was first reported by The Intercept.

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According to Federal Election Commission filings, Dam provided “graphic design and website security consultations” for Hill’s campaign for $500.

Hill, who eventually flipped the California congressional seat, resigned from Congress late last year after nude images of her were leaked online and a House Ethics Committee investigation was launched into allegations that she had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.

Caforio, who was supported by the progressive group Justice Democrats, and another primary contender, Jess Phoenix, both had their websites hacked leading up to the election, but Hill did not. The FBI launched a probe shortly after her election in 2018.

The criminal affidavit states that Caforio’s website was targeted by four distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks between April 2018 and May 2018, forcing it offline for a total of 21 hours. One of the attacks happened shortly before a live primary debate, forcing it offline throughout the debate, the complaint stated. The final attack happened about a week before the primary election. 

“In May 2019, the Victim provided information to the FBI that as a result of the DDoS attacks, the Victim suffered various harms, including a reduction in political donations and campaign visibility, and between approximately $27,000 and $30,000 in expenditures and lost time to respond to, investigate, and mitigate the attacks,” the complaint filed Wednesday reads.

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Hill, who has yet to address Dam’s arrest, eventually won the California primary by fewer than 3,000 votes.

“I’m absolutely shocked and saddened to learn today that Katie Hill’s campaign associates hacked my campaign in order to help her advance through the primary,” Caforio told the Intercept. “This should serve as a reminder that Russia is not the only threat to our democracy. There are bad actors on all sides who will do anything for their own personal gain, and we need to come together as Americans to defend our country and hold everyone responsible accountable.”

The Hill has reached out to a lawyer for the former congresswoman for comment.

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Lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle painted contrasting pictures Thursday of the “opportunity zones” created by President TrumpDonald John TrumpChasten Buttigieg: ‘I’ve been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life’ Lawmakers paint different pictures of Trump’s ‘opportunity zone’ program We must not turn our heads from the effects of traumatic brain injuries MORE’s 2017 tax law.

Speaking at a forum in Charlotte, N.C., hosted by The Hill, Rep. Ralph NormanRalph Warren NormanLawmakers paint different pictures of Trump’s ‘opportunity zone’ program Hotel industry mounts attack on Airbnb with House bill GOP lawmakers call for provisions barring DOD funds for border wall to be dropped MORE (R-S.C.) praised the portion of the law that provides capital gains tax breaks to investors who make investments in designated economically distressed areas.

“[Opportunity zones] are the greatest things that have happened in this country,” Norman said at the forum sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders.

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Norman said the program encourages private developers to buy certain tracts of land while promoting investment in low-income areas.

He also rejected the argument that government grants and assistance are needed to improve the program.

“We have a job to do in getting this country out of a national debt,” Norman said. “I am not adding to $22 trillion. I wasn’t sent [to Congress] to do that.”

Rep. Alma AdamsAlma Shealey AdamsLawmakers paint different pictures of Trump’s ‘opportunity zone’ program On The Money: Bloomberg reignites Democratic fight over financial crisis | Stocks close at record highs as Fed sees steady rates | IRS to boost visits to high-income earners who haven’t filed returns The Hill’s Morning Report – In Nevada, bets on Sanders, eyes on Bloomberg MORE (D-N.C.), who also spoke at the forum, said she’s seeking to make changes to the program, which has drawn criticism from fellow House Democrats.

“I don’t want to see the intent of those opportunity zones misused in a way that the people who don’t need that tax credit to be able to use it,” Adams said.

Adams is a co-sponsor of the Opportunity Zone Reform Act, which was introduced in November. The measure would eliminate investments for casinos and would prohibit investments in stadiums, parking lots and luxury apartments. It would also declassify zones that are no longer low-income, replacing them with qualifying regions.

The bill currently has nine Democratic co-sponsors in the House.

Adams also argued that there should be more of a focus on affordable housing. She said the federal government should put more money into grant funding.

“We have categories of people who are still without decent places to live,” Adams said.

Vestager kicks off new chapter in Google Shopping probe

The probe suggests Margrethe Vestager may ask Google to revise its antitrust remedy.

The European Commission is investigating whether Google has done enough to resolve concerns that led to a €2.42 billion antitrust sanction in June, sending rival sites a list of questions to see if they benefited from the search giant’s remedies.

The questionnaire, obtained by POLITICO, is the clearest indication yet that Margrethe Vestager, Europe’s competition boss, could be preparing for a new assault against Google, raising the prospect of further fines.

Google’s rivals argue that its response to a June verdict concerning its Google Shopping service fell far short of re-establishing fair competition in the EU.

To level the playing field, they say that Vestager should use her powers to hit the company with fines for non-compliance that can go up to €12 million a day. Backdated to end-September, when Google was meant to comply, that could mean a total fine of up to €1.6 billion.

Richard Stables, CEO of price comparison website Kelkoo, called the fresh scrutiny “very good news.”

Google’s remedy was “great for Google and rubbish for everyone else,” he said, adding that he believed the Commission was “taking things very seriously” and would sanction Google for falling short on its Google Shopping remedy.

Kelkoo echoed broader dissatisfaction with Google’s remedies. According to research by Searchmetrics, 99.6 percent of all ads displayed in Google’s box in the U.K. were placed by Google Shopping — suggesting that rivals are struggling to get access.

The prospect of a fresh row over Google’s compliance with a Commission ruling recalls the titanic battle that opposed EU regulators and Microsoft in the 2000s.

Back then, the software giant’s failure to comply had seen its original sanction of €497 million almost quadruple.

In Google’s case, a ruling of non-compliance remains far off.

But the detail and scope of the 36 questions — from demanding contracts to requesting detailed pricing data on a country-by-country basis — indicate that Commission investigators are taking those concerns very seriously.

“This is a case that will remain on our working desk,” Vestager told reporters toward the end of 2017.

Show us your contracts

Antitrust regulators are tightening the screws on Google after hearing complaints from a range of company rivals.

The Commission has formally charged two Google business lines — the Android mobile operating system and AdSense for Search — with infringing the bloc’s competition rules.

Meanwhile, rivals from Yelp to Tripadvisor to NewsCorp want Vestager to apply the principles of her Google Shopping decision to their particular gripes.

Heightening the pressure on Google, Vestager’s crusading stance appears to have prompted greater scrutiny of Google globally: Earlier this month the Indian competition authority sanctioned Google, following in the footsteps of Russia’s antitrust body, while in the U.S. there are growing calls for regulators to revisit a 2013 settlement with the search giant.

The Commission sanctioned Google in June 2016, ordering it to stop giving its Google Shopping service preferential treatment on its search results page. Google has appealed.

Vestager’s office found that Google had placed Google Shopping in a box at the top of the page while demoting rival product comparison sites like Foundem or Kelkoo. In response, Google said it would allow rival websites to bid to place ads in the box.

However, many rivals have criticized that solution.

The Commission is now trying to obtain detailed information from comparison websites about their dealings with Google when trying to place ads in the box, and their relationships with merchants that sell the advertised products.

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The Commission wants copies of agreements between price comparison websites and their five largest merchants in each country where they operate, as well as detailed information on pricing.

It also wants to know how much feedback Google provides when rejecting bids to place ads, and how much data it shares about the performance of ads that are displayed.

Additionally, investigators are asking about the relationship between Google, which runs the box, and its Google Shopping comparison service, which competes with rivals to place ads in the box.

“If you believe or have any information to suggest that [Google Shopping] may have any advantages over you … please explain,” the questionnaire states.

Investigators say they want to establish whether an “efficiently operating comparison search service” could genuinely compete with Google’s own service.

The questionnaire does not ask any questions about where the websites appear in Google’s natural ranking.

Google submitted its own report on the remedy last month. The Commission has hired outside consultants — accounting giant KPMG and search engine optimization and marketing specialist Mathers — to monitor the remedy.

The Commission had no comment.

Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Happy Friday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Rebecca Kheel, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.

 

THE TOPLINE: A seven day “reduction in violence” period has started in Afghanistan, the precursor to a broader U.S.-Taliban deal that will lead to a drawdown of U.S. troops.

The reduction in violence deal went into effect just after midnight in Afghanistan, which was Friday afternoon in Washington.

In officially announcing the deal Friday, Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Dem anxiety grows ahead of Super Tuesday Pompeo expects US-Taliban agreement to be signed on Feb. 29 The Hill’s Morning Report — Sanders, Dems zero in on Super Tuesday MORE said a successful implementation will pave the way for a peace agreement between both sides to be signed on Feb. 29.

Pompeo said in a statement early in the morning that, after discussions in Doha, Qatar, U.S. and Taliban representatives “have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant and nationwide reduction in violence across Afghanistan.” A deal is expected to be signed if the weeklong agreement to reduce violence holds. 

“Upon a successful implementation of this understanding, signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement is expected to move forward. We are preparing for the signing to take place on February 29,” Pompeo said.

“Intra-Afghan negotiations will start soon thereafter, and will build on this fundamental step to deliver a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan,” the secretary of State continued. “The only way to achieve a sustainable peace in Afghanistan is for Afghans to come together and agree on the way forward.”

Background: The announcement comes more than a year after U.S. and Taliban negotiators began talks aimed at securing a political settlement to end the conflict in Afghanistan. The effort has been one of President TrumpDonald John TrumpComey responds to Trump with Mariah Carey gif: ‘Why are you so obsessed with me?’ Congress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama New York man accused of making death threats against Schumer, Schiff MORE‘s major foreign policy priorities; Trump has long pledged to bring an end to “endless wars” and withdraw American troops from foreign engagements. 

U.S.-Taliban negotiations were briefly suspended last fall when Trump canceled a plan to bring the Taliban to Camp David to continue negotiations after a suicide bomb attack claimed by the Taliban killed an American in Afghanistan.

There have been signs in recent weeks that both sides were close to a deal, with White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien indicating in a speech earlier this month that the Trump administration was near securing an agreement with the Taliban. Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperMulvaney confirms he’d have to take a pay cut to be permanent White House chief of staff Pompeo expects US-Taliban agreement to be signed on Feb. 29 DOD sued for alleged improper incineration of ‘forever chemicals’ MORE said last weekend that a deal that involved a seven-day reduction of violence looked “very promising.”

“It’s my view as well that we have to give peace a chance, that the best if not the only way forward in Afghanistan is through a political agreement and that means taking some risk,” Esper said at the Munich Security Conference. “That means enabling our diplomats and that means working together with our partners and allies on the ground to affect such a thing.”

International reaction: Pakistan, which has long been seen as a spoiler in Afghanistan, has been supportive of the Trump administration’s peace talks and welcomed Friday’s announcement.

“We believe the signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement will pave the way for the next step of intra-Afghan negotiations,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday. “We hope the Afghan parties would now seize this historic opportunity and work out a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.”

NATO, whose members have about 16,000 troops in Afghanistan, also welcomed the announcement and called the reduction in violence a “crucial test” for the Taliban.

“This is a critical test of the Taliban’s willingness and ability to reduce violence, and contribute to peace in good faith,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. “This could pave the way for negotiations among Afghans, sustainable peace and ensuring the country is never again a safe haven for terrorists.”

 

WHO WILL GET THE ROSE?: President Trump says he is considering four individuals to serve as his next director of national intelligence (DNI) and that a decision would be made “within the next few weeks.”

“Four great candidates are under consideration at DNI,” Trump tweeted Friday morning. “Decision within next few weeks!”

The president did not name any individuals under consideration. He had told reporters Thursday evening aboard Air Force One that he was considering Rep. Doug CollinsDouglas (Doug) Allen CollinsTrump says he is considering four candidates for intelligence chief Doug Collins not interested in national intelligence role despite Trump interest The Hill’s Morning Report — Sanders, Dems zero in on Super Tuesday MORE (R-Ga.) as a candidate, but the congressman, who is running for Senate in Georgia, told the Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” on Friday that he was not interested and would not accept the position.

Background: Trump announced Wednesday that U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, one of his staunchest defenders, would serve as his top intelligence chief in an acting capacity. Grenell took over for Joseph MaguireJoseph MaguireStorm clouds loom as Trump loyalist Grenell becomes acting intelligence chief Congress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama Trump says he is considering four candidates for intelligence chief MORE, who had served as acting director of national intelligence since last August.

Grenell is not among the candidates Trump is considering to fill the role permanently but is involved in the process of selecting the nominee.

The position has been without a Senate-confirmed occupant since Dan CoatsDaniel (Dan) Ray CoatsCongress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama Trump’s nomination of an unqualified DNI undermines bipartisan intelligence reform Trump says he is considering four candidates for intelligence chief MORE resigned from the role last summer after clashing with Trump on a number of fronts.

 

NUCLEAR WAR GAMES: Esper took a trip this week focused on nuclear weapons with stops at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and U.S. Strategic Command (Stratcom) in Nebraska.

What Pentagon officials revealed Friday is that the Stratcom stop included a “mini-exercise” simulating a nuclear war.

In the scenario acted out in the exercise, Russia is at war in Europe when Moscow decides to use a low-yield nuclear weapon on a site within NATO territory, a senior defense official said.

The United States then fires back with a “limited response,” the official said.

“They played out that game, and the secretary got a good understanding for how that went,” the official said.

“In the course of exercise, we simulated responding with a nuclear weapon,” the official added.

Context: The U.S. military regularly exercises its response to nuclear attacks, but the timing of this exercise is notable.

Earlier this month, the Pentagon confirmed it deployed its own low-yield nuclear warhead meant to act as a deterrent to Russia’s low-yield bombs.

 

ON TAP FOR MONDAY

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo will have a joint press conference at about 5:30 p.m. at the Pentagon. https://bit.ly/2T5RReX

 

ICYMI

— The Hill: Former US ambassador to Syria: Idlib is ‘worst case scenario’

— The Hill: Congress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama

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— Associated Press: Syrian war pulls in major foreign actors, increasing tension

— Defense News: US can’t continue tolerating Russian ‘noncompliance’ on Open Skies, says Esper

— McClatchy: Do military pilots have a higher risk for cancer? Lawmakers want to find out

Former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonComey responds to Trump with Mariah Carey gif: ‘Why are you so obsessed with me?’ Trump dismisses reports of Russian meddling, labels them Democratic ‘misinformation campaign’ The new American center MORE called President TrumpDonald John TrumpComey responds to Trump with Mariah Carey gif: ‘Why are you so obsessed with me?’ Congress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama New York man accused of making death threats against Schumer, Schiff MORE “Putin’s Puppet” and claimed he “can’t win” without foreign help after a report this week said that intelligence officials are warning of Russian interference in the 2020 election.

“Putin’s Puppet is at it again, taking Russian help for himself,” Clinton, Trump’s 2016 election rival, tweeted Friday. “He knows he can’t win without it. And we can’t let it happen.”

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Her tweet comes in response to reports that Trump chose not to nominate his acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph MaguireJoseph MaguireStorm clouds loom as Trump loyalist Grenell becomes acting intelligence chief Congress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama Trump says he is considering four candidates for intelligence chief MORE on a permanent basis and accused him of disloyalty because of a briefing on election security to the House Intelligence Committee.

During the briefing, intelligence officials reportedly told lawmakers that Russia was again interfering in the U.S. election with the goal of helping reelect Trump. The president was worried that Democrats on the committee would use the intelligence information against him, The New York Times reported.

Many Democrats have seized on the new reports to address election security and interference from Russia, hitting Trump for not taking a tougher stance.

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Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerNew York man accused of making death threats against Schumer, Schiff Top GOP super PAC spent money on NC Democrat Hillicon Valley: Intel officials warned lawmakers Russia interfering in 2020 | Pompeo condemns Russian cyberattack on country of Georgia | Tech activists see Kickstarter union as breakthrough | Pentagon agency suffers data breach MORE (D-N.Y.) tweeted Thursday that “now we know why” Senate Republicans continue blocking election security bills, linking to the Times article.

“They’d rather let Putin win than stand up to President Trump,” Schumer tweeted.

Clinton first used the term on the campaign trail, saying if he won he would be “Putin’s puppet,” referring to Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinCongress to get election security briefing next month amid Intel drama Trump’s nomination of an unqualified DNI undermines bipartisan intelligence reform Candidates need to articulate Russia policies now MORE. She has frequently referred to Trump as “Putin’s puppet” since intelligence officials confirmed Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election in an effort to boost Trump.

Since the election, Democrats have sought to pass election security bills to protect U.S. infrastructure, though House-passed efforts have stalled in the GOP-controlled Senate. 

Trump dismissed new reports of meddling on Friday as a Democratic “misinformation campaign,” appearing to break with his own intelligence community. 

Comedian and liberal activist Sarah Silverman offered effusive praise for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on Monday after the latter published an op-ed in the Washington Post outlining her foreign policy views.

“I am so down with this. Thank you @IlhanMN for this piece, let’s work toward a two state solution and let the US be a force for peace and freedom and justice for all,” Silverman tweeted, citing Omar’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Silverman said nothing about Omar’s recent antisemitic comments.

Last month, Omar claimed, falsely, that members of Congress had been paid by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to support Israel — a claim for which she later apologized. (Silverman defended her.)

Soon afterwards, Omar claimed American supporters of Israel owed “allegiance to a foreign country.”

The remark was widely condemned, but Omar did not apologize — and Democrats refused to single her out or to focus on antisemitism in U.S. House of Representatives resolution that followed shortly thereafter, which merely condemned all forms of hatred.

Silverman did speak out earlier this year against antisemitism in the Women’s March, an anti-Trump organization that has ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, and whose leaders have excluded pro-Israel women — even liberal ones — from their organization.

In her op-ed, Omar argued for an “inclusive foreign policy,” based on her experiences as a refugee from war in Somalia.

She reiterated that she supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — but she did not mention about her support for the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (BDS) movement, which critics call antisemitic.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. He is also the co-author of How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution, which is available from Regnery. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

Two highly-rated academy graduates are approaching the end of their respective contracts, but discussions regarding extensions are ongoing

Manchester United remain in talks over new contracts for Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed.

Two exciting academy graduates are approaching the end of their respective deals at Old Trafford.

If no fresh terms are agreed, then both will be free to move on over the summer.

More teams

Speculation has already surfaced regarding possible landing spots, with Netherlands U21 international winger Chong said to be interesting Serie A giants Juventus and Inter.

United are understandably keen to avoid seeing such potential slip their net.

The clock is ticking on discussions with Gomes and Chong, but Solskjaer remains optimistic regarding the Red Devils’ chances of convincing both to stay put.

He told reporters when asked for an update on a long-running saga: “Well we’re still in talks with them.”

The United boss added, with Gomes and Chong having figured in an Under-19s fixture against Club Brugge on Wednesday rather than forming part of the senior fold for a Europa League last-32 encounter a day later: “Tahith scored [in a 2-0 win].

“He’d rather play a game than sit in the stands here. He’s just making sure that he’s ready when he gets a chance.

“He played really well against Wolverhampton in the FA Cup and I’m very pleased with him.

“The boys have got a great attitude. They’re absolutely top-class boys and we’re doing what we can to keep them because in a few years we can see them becoming very, very good players.”

Solskjaer handed a senior debut to Chong in an FA Cup clash with Reading last season, while Gomes made his bow under Jose Mourinho at just 16 years of age.

They could come into contention for more minutes in a Premier League meeting with Watford on Sunday, with United ready to shuffle their pack again during a busy period.

“Well, of course, with team selection you’ve got to maybe rotate in Europe like we’ve done,” Solskjaer added.

“Maybe go back to what we were against Chelsea this week. We played three games in a week here.

“I feel with Bruno [Fernandes] coming in and Odion [Ighalo] coming in we’ll get more goals in the team. That’s been lacking. The games we’ve lost – West Ham, Burnley, Palace, Bournemouth – we’ve had chances but we haven’t scored goals.

“And you can definitely see that Bruno gives us another dimension.”

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Le philosophe Alain Finkielkraut a été élu à l’Académie Française le 10 avril. Une élection « dans un fauteuil » pour un homme engagé.

À 64 ans, le philosophe, écrivain et essayiste français Alain Finkielkraut a été élu à l’Académie française par 16 voix sur 28 au fauteuil de Félicien Marceau, décédé le 7 mars 2012.

Officier de la Légion d’honneur, Finkielkraut a publié de nombreux ouvrages sur la littérature, l’amour, la modernité, l’éducation, la religion ou l’identité nationale et l’immigration, notamment dans son dernier livre L’identité malheureuse (Stock), suscitant quelques polémiques.

L’homme, proche de l’écrivain Milan Kundera, s’est également érigé contre Internet qu’il considère comme « la poubelle de toutes les informations » permettant à toute rumeur de se répandre à grande vitesse. Ce grand défenseur de la laïcité, engagé en faveur d’Israël, est désormais assis au fauteuil 21 de l’institution du quai de Conti où il va pouvoir veiller sur la langue française et débattre avec les Immortels, même si tous n’étaient pas favorables à son entrée.

Soutenue semble-t-il par Pierre Nora, Michel Déon, Max Gallo, Hélène Carrère d’Encausse et Jean d’Ormesson (Selon le Figaro, ce dernier aurait menacé ses confrères : « Si Finkielkraut n’est pas élu jeudi, je ne mettrai plus les pieds à l’Académie. »), la candidature du philosophe avait provoqué de légers remous au sein de cette institution vieille de 379 ans.

La prochaine étape devrait détendre le jeune immortel : endosser l’habit vert et porter l’épée (la tenue des Académiciens) pour la photo officielle.

Pierre Flamant, le maire de Fresnoy-le-Grand a frappé fort pour son premier conseil municipal. La première décision du nouveau conseil municipal a en effet été de débaptiser le stade Francis Lalanne.

Pierre Flamant est allé droit au but. Le nouveau maire de Fresnoy-le-Grand, commune de 3000 habitants située dans le département de l’Aisne, a décidé que le stade de football de sa ville ne porterait plus le nom du chanteur Francis Lalanne comme c’était le cas depuis dix ans. « En mars 2004, le conseil a donné le nom de Francis Lalanne au stade municipal après des débats houleux. J’ai proposé de débaptiser ce stade, s’est-il justifié auprès de L’Aisne Nouvelle. Cet homme n’est plus représentatif de Fresnoy. En plus, ce n’est pas un exemple ».

Mis au courant de cette décision, Francis Lalanne avait réagi au début du mois dans les colonnes de l’Aisne Nouvelle. “Leurs bêtise et ingratitude me font éclater de rire, avait-il confié au quadri-hebdomadaire du groupe Rossel, filiale du quotidien régional Le Courrier picard.. C’est petit ! Ils peuvent effacer mon nom mais ils n’effaceront pas l’histoire d’une incroyable aventure durant laquelle sportivement on a tout gagné. J’ai rendu des gens heureux pendant notre glorieuse épopée! (…) J’ai donné 10 ans de ma vie là-bas et les plaisirs que j’ai vécus en créant un grand club, personne ne pourra me les retirer. (…) De mon côté, j’ai tourné la page, j’affirme néanmoins tout mon respect à l’ancien maire Raymond Lavallery qui m’a toujours aidé et soutenu. Lui au moins il comprenait ma façon de faire. Il doit être blessé de ce qui se passe.»

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Le chanteur aux célèbres cuissardes et non moins fameux catogan avait par ailleurs expliqué qu’il n’avait jamais demandé que le stade soit baptisé à son nom. «À l’époque en 2004, je pense que je ne le méritais pas spécialement parce que je n’avais pas encore prouvé grand-chose. Depuis je suis parvenu à hisser l’équipe jusqu’en CFA2, quelle fierté! C’est lorsqu’ils désirent maintenant tirer un trait sur ma mémoire qu’ils auraient dû, je crois, seulement, l’écrire en reconnaissance de tout ce que j’ai accompli pour l’ASF durant une décennie.»

Dans cette période difficile, Francis Lalanne peut compter sur le soutien inatendu de Laurent Ruquier qui s’est monté solidaire hier sur l’antenne d’Europe 1. «Cette décision est injuste. Où il ne fallait pas appeler ce stade ainsi dès le départ, mais à partir du moment où on a donné ce nom à ce stade, je trouve injuste de le débaptiser» a assuré l’animateur dans son émission On va s’gêner. Le nouveau maire de Fresnoy-le-Grand, lui ne s’est en tout cas pas gêné!