MyMemeCards editorial team
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Penelopegate” is a legendary card of the French Politics pack, number 29 of the collection, and the 12th 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 “Penelopegate” meme mean?
The expression conveys political betrayal and hypocrisy. It symbolizes the gap between elite moralizing rhetoric and private practices perceived as abusive. The meme critiques supposed impunity or mocks financial declaration complexities, turning a judicial controversy into an icon of modern French electoral cynicism.
Where does the “Penelopegate” meme come from?
The term emerged in French media after Le Canard enchaîné published an article on January 25, 2017, accusing Penelope Fillon of receiving approximately 500,000 euros gross for presumed non-existent parliamentary work. The newspaper later revised this amount to over 831,440 euros. This revelation occurred during the French right-wing primary, fatally undermining François Fillon's candidacy. The use of the '-gate' suffix, historically linked to Watergate, anchors the affair in the tradition of major political scandals. While the event is well-documented, the exact origin of specific visual memes remains difficult to attribute to a single precise source due to massive social media reuse.
- January 25, 2017Publication of the revealing article in Le Canard enchaîné regarding the salaries.
How to use the “Penelopegate” meme
- Use the image to mock contradictory statements by politicians during televised debates.
- Cite the term to highlight an apparent conflict of interest in a local business or administration.
- Employ the portmanteau to qualify a situation where appearances differ radically from financial reality.
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The “Penelopegate” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 029 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Legendary |
| Collection | French Politics pack |
| Fame | 90/100 · #12 of 127 |
| Recycle value | 40 MemeCoins (120 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Penelopegate” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Penelopegate comes out of the French Politics pack as a legendary 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 40 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 “Penelopegate”
More cards of the French Politics pack
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Penelopegate?
It is the political scandal revealed in 2017 concerning Penelope Fillon, wife of François Fillon, accused of holding fake jobs.
How much did Penelope Fillon earn?
Initial estimates mentioned 500,000 euros, then Le Canard enchaîné announced over 831,000 euros gross received through parliamentary jobs.
Why is it called Penelopegate?
The suffix 'gate' is used by analogy with Watergate to designate a major political scandal involving practices deemed illegal or unethical.
What was the impact on the 2017 election?
The revelation significantly weakened François Fillon's credibility during the right-wing primary, contributing to his final defeat against Emmanuel Macron.
How do I get the Penelopegate meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Penelopegate” is a legendary 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 Penelopegate card?
It is a Legendary card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Penelope Fillon aurait touché plus de 900.000 euros au total, selon Le Canard enchaîné · La justice ouvre une enquête sur Penelope Fillon · Penelope aurait touché plus de 900 000 €, les enfants 84 000 €, Fillon crie à la «calomnie» · checked on October 8, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.