MyMemeCards editorial team
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “The spirit of finesse” is a common card of the French Politics pack, number 35 of the collection, and the 86th best-known meme of its 127 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “The spirit of finesse” meme mean?
This meme is used to highlight political irony, mimicry, or the shameless recycling of someone else’s insults. Online users post it to call out a lack of originality or to ridicule a speaker who borrows lines from a rival to turn the tables in a televised confrontation.
Where does the “The spirit of finesse” meme come from?
On May 2, 2024, politician Jordan Bardella debated Valérie Hayer on French network BFM-TV ahead of European elections. During the broadcast, Bardella told his opponent she was not “the candidate of finesse.” On May 6, 2024, television show Quotidien aired a side-by-side video revealing that Bardella’s exact phrasing was lifted from Emmanuel Macron’s televised debate against Marine Le Pen on May 3, 2017. The show pointed out other identical borrowed lines, turning the comparison into a viral clip online.
- May 3, 2017Emmanuel Macron delivers the original line against Marine Le Pen during a presidential debate.
- May 2, 2024Jordan Bardella reuses the exact remark against Valérie Hayer on BFM-TV.
- May 6, 2024TV show Quotidien broadcasts the comparison clip highlighting the identical phrasing.
How to use the “The spirit of finesse” meme
- Calling out someone who repeats another person's snappy comeback word for word.
- Reacting to a political speech that blatantly copies a rival's playbook.
- Highlighting an ironic reversal of roles during a heated argument.
Also searched as
- Not the candidate of finesse
- Bardella Macron mimicry
- the spirit of finesse meme
- bardella macron finesse debate
- esprit de finesse meme english
- bardella copies macron quotiden
The “The spirit of finesse” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 035 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | French Politics pack |
| Fame | 69/100 · #86 of 127 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “The spirit of finesse” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; The spirit of finesse comes out of the French Politics pack as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art 0.8%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “The spirit of finesse”
More cards of the French Politics pack
Frequently asked questions
Where does the phrase 'the spirit of finesse' come from?
It was originally used by French President Emmanuel Macron in a 2017 debate before being repeated by Jordan Bardella in 2024.
Why did this political exchange become a meme?
TV show Quotidien edited the two debates side-by-side, exposing how several debate insults were copied almost verbatim.
What does the meme represent?
It symbolizes blatant rhetorical copying, verbal mimicry, and the irony of borrowing an adversary’s old punchlines.
How do I get the The spirit of finesse meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “The spirit of finesse” is a common card of the French Politics pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the The spirit of finesse card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Elections européennes : Jordan Bardella en quête de ... · “Pas besoin d'un ventriloque” : Jordan Bardella moqué pour avoir ... · EU elections: French far right's Bardella debates PM ... · checked on October 8, 2026.
Read next
Want The spirit of finesse in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.