EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request
The European Union, Canada, and Lithuania have withdrawn their sponsorship of the Disinfo 2026 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, after pressure from Trump officials. The conference aimed to discuss disinformation and foreign interference, with a panel reportedly critical of the US. The withdrawals come amid transatlantic tensions and concerns about free speech.
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- ✓ The European Union, Canada, and Lithuania dropped their official sponsorships of the Disinfo 2026 conference.
- ✓ The Trump administration pressured multiple countries to withdraw sponsorship from the conference.
- ✓ The conference included a panel critical of the US stance on disinformation.
What changed
The European Union, Canada, and Lithuania withdrew their sponsorship of the Disinfo 2026 conference following pressure from Trump officials, reportedly due to a panel characterizing the US as a foreign information threat.
Live updates
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EU, Canada, and Lithuania drop sponsorship of disinformation conference
The European Union, Canada, and Lithuania have withdrawn their sponsorship of the Disinfo 2026 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, after pressure from Trump officials. The conference aimed to discuss disinformation and foreign interference, with a panel reportedly critical of the US. The withdrawals come amid transatlantic tensions and concerns about free speech.
Why it matters
The Disinfo 2026 conference was set to discuss disinformation and foreign interference, with a focus on European issues. The US lobbying against the conference has raised concerns about the politicization of efforts to combat disinformation. The withdrawals have sparked debate about the role of governments in shaping the narrative around disinformation and free speech.
What is confirmed
- The European Union, Canada, and Lithuania dropped their official sponsorships of the Disinfo 2026 conference.
- The Trump administration pressured multiple countries to withdraw sponsorship from the conference.
- The conference included a panel critical of the US stance on disinformation.
Still unconfirmed
- The US withdrawal of support is related to Russia.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the Disinfo 2026 conference without major sponsor support
- Further reactions from the US and European governments on disinformation efforts
- The impact on global cooperation to combat disinformation
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (13)
- The Guardian — EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request
- The Globe and Mail — Canada drops sponsorship of conference that talks of U.S. as foreign interference actor
- Intelligence Online — European Union, Lithuania, United States Pressured by US, Brussels pulls out of Disinfo 2026 conference in Vilnius
- Tech Policy Press — Disinformation Conference in Europe Caught Up in Transatlantic Politics
- CBC — Canada yanks sponsorship of disinformation conference discussing U.S. as a threat
- www.theguardian.com — EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request | Trump administration
- www.theguardian.com — Two Latvian men arrested for trespass offences at RAF airbase – as it happened | Europe
- www.archyde.com — EU, Canada and Lithuania drop sponsorship of disinformation conference – Archyde
- bsky.app — @kaosuk.bsky.social 님의 게시물
- rocketnews.com — EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump ...
- bsky.app — Cllr Eric Hanvey (@erichanvey.bsky.social)
- www.globalbankingandfinance.com — US Pressures Allies to Withdraw From Anti-Disinformation ...
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