The Trump administration pressured multiple countries, including Canada and Lithuania, to withdraw their sponsorship of the #Disinfo2026 conference on disinformation. The EU's diplomatic service also withdrew its support. The US State Department expressed concerns over a panel that framed the US as a foreign information threat.
The actions highlight concerns about the US government's influence on international discourse and free speech, particularly in the context of criticism directed at the US itself. The withdrawal of sponsorship by key entities suggests a potential geopolitical tension surrounding the definition and attribution of disinformation.
The Trump administration exerted pressure on several nations and the EU's diplomatic service to withdraw their sponsorship of the #Disinfo2026 conference, an annual gathering focused on countering disinformation. Canada, Lithuania, and the European External Action Service (EEAS) subsequently removed their support.
The conference, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, is organized by an independent Brussels non-profit, EU Disinfo Lab. Days before its commencement, the logos of its main supporters were removed from the event's website and covered with stickers on official materials.
According to individuals familiar with the matter, including European officials, the US State Department engaged with various governments concerning their involvement. Internal State Department documents revealed that Washington was grateful for Lithuania's decision to limit its participation, particularly after a panel discussing the US as a "foreign information manipulation and interference" (FIMI) threat was framed as "reprehensible and surprising" by US officials.
This panel, featuring three American speakers including a former CIA officer, explored how Europe's disinformation community could build resilience independent of Washington. Sources indicated the State Department's focus was specifically on this panel. Communications also reportedly originated from the office of Sarah B Rogers, the US undersecretary of state for public diplomacy.
Nina Jankowicz, a former US official and disinformation expert, stated that Washington had pressured Lithuania and Canada to withdraw. She characterized the actions as the US government using its power to prevent criticism of its own government.
In official statements, Lithuania, Canada, and the EU cited that the conference's program did not align with their official positions on the US role in disinformation, despite the program having been established months prior. Lithuania's foreign ministry stated its cancellation was due to program elements differing from the government's official stance. Global Affairs Canada noted it carefully assesses participation in external events and revised its involvement following changes in panel framing. An EU spokesperson confirmed the EEAS withdrew support due to the framing of certain discussions not aligning with EU positions.
Despite withdrawing official branding, the EU continues to financially support the conference. The EEAS's recent report on foreign information manipulation and interference threats identified Russia and China as "threat actors" without mentioning the US. A French diplomatic source indicated France would maintain its support for civil society and the conference's role as a "laboratory" for policy development.
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