Joël Le Scouarnec: The Global Villains of the Week - Week 09, 2025

Ranked first in the list, Joël Le Scouarnec is in the news this week as he is on trial for what is considered the largest pedophilia case in France's history. The former surgeon is accused of the abuse of 299 children over several decades, an appalling crime that has brought him an extremely negative sentiment score of 1.00. This coverage reflects the gravity of his alleged actions and the widespread media attention dedicated to this case.

• Top Countries: France, Spain, United Kingdom - and 26 other countries
• Key stats: Joël Le Scouarnec's sentiment score of 1.00 is extremely negative, reflecting the horrific nature of his alleged crimes. His Reach of approximately 3.47 million people and Power of over 113,000 indicate the significant global media influence of this case.

Ranked second on this week's list, Ghislaine Maxwell is in the news due to her involvement in the notorious Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She continues to garner attention primarily due to her conviction and ongoing imprisonment related to sex trafficking activities. Her portrayal remains extremely negative, with a sentiment score of 1.53, reflecting the public's disapproval of her actions and association with Epstein's crimes.

• Top Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Norway - and 11 other countries
• Key stats: Ghislaine Maxwell's sentiment score is exceptionally low at 1.53, indicating a highly negative perception. Her mentions span across 14 countries, showcasing the global interest and media coverage of her involvement in the Epstein case. Despite a relatively low dominance of 0.05%, she remains a prominent figure in international news.

Ranked third on the list, Adolf Hitler has been prominently mentioned in the news this week due to various historical references, comparisons, and cultural explorations. His actions during World War II and the Holocaust continue to be a point of discussion, serving as a cautionary tale and reference point for contemporary issues and figures. With a sentiment score of 1.67, far below the neutral score of 5, the coverage is overwhelmingly negative. This reflects the enduring negative perception of Hitler’s legacy and the atrocities committed under his regime.

• Top Countries: Italy, Venezuela, Greece - and 19 other countries
• Key stats: Despite being a historical figure, Hitler's mentions span 22 countries, indicating his significant impact on global discourse. The low sentiment score of 1.67 underscores the negative connotations associated with his actions and the continued relevance in cautionary comparisons and historical analyses.

Jeffrey Epstein ranks 4th on the list of people with the lowest sentiment in the news this week. His notoriety stems from his past as a financier and convicted sex offender, and he remains a figure of interest due to the declassification of files by the Trump administration and the release of his client list and flight logs. These developments have reignited public scrutiny over his connections with powerful figures and his alleged human trafficking network, contributing to his extremely negative sentiment score of 1.76, well below the neutral midpoint of 5.

• Top Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic - and 17 other countries
• Key stats: Epstein's global presence in news coverage spans 20 countries, with a notable reach of over 5.6 million people. His extremely low sentiment score of 1.76 reflects the negative portrayal in the media, driven by the resurfacing of his criminal activities and associations.

Ranked 5th in prominence this week, Rafael Caro Quintero is in the news due to his extradition to the United States, where he faces serious charges including drug trafficking and the alleged murder of DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in 1985. His presence in the media is driven by his involvement in organized crime and his historical role as a co-founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, which has earned him a negative sentiment score of 2.23, reflecting the severity of the allegations against him.

• Top Countries: Mexico, United States, Spain - and 24 other countries
• Key stats: With a sentiment score of 2.23, Rafael Caro Quintero is portrayed in an extremely negative light, evidencing the global media's focus on his criminal activities and the implications of his extradition. His reach of over 21 million people and power score highlight the significant attention and influence he commands across the globe due to the gravity of his alleged crimes.

Ranked 6th in the list, Omar Treviño Morales, known as 'Z-42', is in the news this week due to his extradition to the United States. As a former high-ranking leader of the notorious Los Zetas cartel, Morales is associated with brutal violence and serious criminal activities. His presence in headlines across multiple countries is largely due to recent legal actions taken against him, including his transfer to the U.S. and accusations of continuing criminal operations from prison.

• Top Countries: Mexico, Honduras, Spain - and 13 other countries
• Key stats: Omar Treviño Morales has a low sentiment score of 2.24, reflecting the highly negative portrayal in the media due to his criminal background and involvement with Los Zetas. His global reach, measured at 3,526,850.61, indicates significant international coverage.

Björn Höcke ranks 7th on the list of people with the lowest sentiment in the news for Week 09, 2025. He is in the headlines due to his controversial actions and statements as a prominent figure in the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, particularly known for his far-right stance. His recent legal troubles, stemming from the use of Nazi-era slogans, have contributed to his negative portrayal in the media.

• Top Countries: Germany, Greece, United Kingdom - and 6 other countries
• Key stats: Björn Höcke has a sentiment score of 2.50, indicating a negative depiction in the media. His mention in 9 countries underlines his international notoriety, especially among those monitoring far-right political movements in Europe.

Ranked 8th on the list, Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales is in the news this week due to his extradition to the United States. Known as 'El Z-40', he is a former leader of the notorious Los Zetas cartel, infamous for its violent activities. The extradition process, delayed for 11 years, has drawn international attention, contributing to his appearances in news articles worldwide. The negative sentiment score of 2.80 indicates the predominantly unfavorable portrayal of his actions and legacy in the media, especially given the violent nature of the crimes associated with him.

• Top Countries: Mexico, Honduras, Spain - and 13 other countries
• Key stats: With a sentiment score of 2.80, Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales is portrayed negatively, aligning with his association with crime and violence. His news coverage spans across 16 countries, reflecting the broad interest in the extradition of a high-profile criminal figure.

Ranked ninth on the list, Hakeem Jeffries has been in the news this week primarily due to his critical stance against former President Donald Trump, as well as his involvement in key legislative discussions. His prominence in the media is reflected in his mentions across multiple countries, where he is portrayed with a sentiment score of 2.87, indicating a generally negative perception. This coverage likely stems from his outspoken criticisms and political opposition, which have resonated globally.

• Top Countries: United States, Germany, Spain - and 10 other countries
• Key stats: Jeffries has a global dominance of 0.12%, with a reach of approximately 5.3 million people, indicating significant media presence despite a sentiment score below the neutral mark of 5. His power score of 110,609.30 reflects his influence in media discussions, particularly in the context of American politics and international relations.

Milorad Dodik ranks 10th on our list this week due to significant media coverage related to political and legal controversies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His portrayal in the news has been largely negative, with a sentiment score of 3.12, indicating considerable criticism and unfavorable attention. Dodik's involvement in discussions about the Brčko district, accusations of abusing his political position, and recent sentencing for political misconduct have contributed to his prominence in the news.

• Top Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia - and 18 other countries
• Key stats: Dominance at 0.03% reflects his limited influence globally, but a notable local dominance of 0.20% in Bosnia and Herzegovina indicates significant national attention. His reach of approximately 1.87 million people and power score of 28,235 highlight his influence in the regional media landscape.