by InTrieste
Roberto Vannacci, the leader of the far-right movement Futuro Nazionale, has drawn sharp criticism after sharing an AI-generated video portraying himself as a Roman emperor ordering the execution of several opposition politicians.
The video, reportedly created using Grok AI and first posted by a supporter before being reshared by Vannacci on Instagram, depicts the former army general presiding over a Colosseum-style arena. Bound in the center are four political figures: Movimento 5 Stelle leader Giuseppe Conte, Democratic Party (PD) secretary Elly Schlein, former Prime Minister Romano Prodi and PD lawmaker Laura Boldrini.
In the clip, Vannacci signals a thumbs-down before ordering their execution with a hammer and sickle, saying the tools are ones “they’ve never actually used.” A centurion-like figure carries out the order, while stylized representations of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Senate President Ignazio La Russa appear seated beside Vannacci in imperial attire. Another figure representing Vannacci’s wife, Camelia Mihailescu, is shown making an obscene gesture, an apparent reference to a recent public incident. Former Prime Minister Mario Draghi is depicted remaining seated as the crowd reacts.
Ugo Rossi, a Trieste city council member and leader of Futuro Nazionale’s group on the council, later said he had conceived the idea for the video. In a statement posted on social media, Rossi described the clip as satire and rejected accusations that it encouraged violence. He said the video was intended to criticize left-wing politicians and referenced his opposition to Italy’s COVID-19 restrictions under the governments of former Prime Ministers Giuseppe Conte and Mario Draghi, recalling his arrest during a city council commission for lacking a Green Pass. Rossi also accused left-wing parties of hypocrisy for condemning the video while, he said, remaining silent about recent clashes in Bologna and other episodes of political violence.
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The video prompted swift condemnation from opposition leaders.
Conte said the clip “incites violence” and risks encouraging political extremism. He also questioned whether Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party intended to formalize an alliance with Vannacci ahead of the next general election.
Vannacci rejected the criticism, describing the video as “obviously unreal satire” and accusing his critics of overreacting.
Boldrini called the video evidence of a “very dangerous drift,” arguing that portraying the killing of political opponents could not be dismissed as humor. Green MEP Angelo Bonelli suggested authorities should examine whether the video falls under Italy’s laws governing harmful AI-generated content, while Democratic Party leaders Chiara Braga and Francesco Boccia urged Meloni to publicly distance herself from the imagery.
Carlo Calenda, leader of the centrist Azione party, also called on Meloni to repudiate Vannacci, saying the video had crossed “every limit of decency.”
The controversy comes as speculation grows over a possible electoral agreement between Vannacci and Meloni’s coalition ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election.
