Carlo Conti, the host of the Sanremo Festival, has publicly refuted claims regarding the attendance of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the event. On his Instagram account, he characterized the rumor as 'a great exaggeration' and shared a screenshot of a speculative article suggesting Meloni's attendance, which he labeled 'Fake.' This rumor implied that Meloni would be present for the first time as a Prime Minister, having received a private invitation from Conti himself.

In his post, Conti highlighted the article's title, which implied Meloni's potential presence, along with specifics about her daughter Ginevra attending. He prominently displayed the word 'Fake' in red over the accompanying image, emphasizing the false nature of the claims. This denial coincides with clarifications from the Italian government, stating that Meloni will not attend the 2026 Sanremo Festival, effectively debunking the circulating rumors.

The government source reiterated that the hypothesis of Meloni's attendance, despite being reported in media outlets, was unfounded and never grounded in any actual invitation. This incident reflects the often sensationalist nature of media speculation regarding political figures and their engagements at popular cultural events, especially those as nationally significant as the Sanremo Festival, which intertwines entertainment and public affairs in Italy.