French Nationalist TV Host Éric Zemmour, Inspired by Trump, Surges in Polls

PARIS—As a television talk-show host and pundit, Éric Zemmour built a devoted following on France’s far right with years of barbed criticism of immigrants, Muslims and leftist politicians.

Now Mr. Zemmour, who says he has drawn inspiration from former President Donald Trump, is harnessing his celebrity to explore a run for president, an effort that is shaking up French politics. Polls show he has inched ahead of the far right’s longtime standard-bearer, Marine Le Pen, to become the leading challenger to President Emmanuel Macron in next year’s election.