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Lola-Fleur Whittaker, a French student and left-wing political blogger, has found herself at the center of a controversy after mocking business owners whose shops were looted during riots in France. But social media users soon turned their attention to her own lifestyle, which appears to include trips to exotic destinations around the world.

Whittaker, who studies at the prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris, appeared on the television program La Grande Confrontation, where she defended those involved in the riots and debated who was responsible for the violence over the weekend.

During a heated exchange with bakery chain owner Jemima Cheilha, whose businesses had been looted, the student remarked: “Your little shops are so cute.”

The businesswoman fired back at the remark. “This is my life, Lola. We had to watch our businesses being ransacked. What justifies the terror people are being subjected to?” she demanded.

In response, Whittaker attempted to portray herself as someone who also faces financial hardship. She said her mother works as a teacher and sometimes eats biscuits for lunch because she cannot afford to pay for meals in the school cafeteria.

However, social media users soon began examining the student’s accounts, where they found photographs documenting trips to Sicily, Greece, Malaysia, Egypt and Oman. Against the backdrop of these posts, her claims about living modestly drew a wave of criticism.

Whittaker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manchester. She previously ran for office in Paris as a candidate for the far-left party La France Insoumise and is known for her left-wing political commentary online.

During the televised debate, the student also attempted to draw a parallel between the recent unrest and French police attacks on Algerian immigrants in October 1961, according to La Dépêche.

Meanwhile, following widespread rioting in several French cities, curfews have been imposed in some areas. Business owners are assessing the damage to their looted shops, while Whittaker’s remarks have sparked a fresh debate over social inequality and double standards among political activists.

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