It’s no secret that Donald Trump’s remarks have often sparked confusion, and his historical missteps have become part of the internet’s ongoing humor feed. One such moment resurfaced recently, reminding us of a hilariously inaccurate statement he made back in 2019. In a press conference with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Trump declared, “The United States and Italy are bound together by a shared cultural and political heritage dating back thousands of years to Ancient Rome.”
Yes, you read that right — Trump claimed the U.S. and Italy had been allies since the time of Ancient Rome. This outlandish comment immediately went viral, especially after the translator’s priceless reaction was caught on camera. The translator’s face went from utter confusion to looking around the room, seemingly wondering if anyone else had just heard the absurdity of the claim. Her expression quickly became a meme, as viewers around the world shared their disbelief and amusement at this historical blunder.
Of course, as humorous as it is, Trump’s comment wasn’t just a moment of comedic confusion — it’s a factual disaster. The United States wasn’t even a thought in the Roman Empire’s time. Ancient Rome fell in 476 AD, and the U.S. only became a nation in 1776. Columbus didn’t arrive in the Americas until 1492, long after Rome had crumbled. So, the notion that the U.S. and Italy have shared a “cultural and political heritage” dating back thousands of years is, at best, wildly inaccurate.
The U.S. officially established diplomatic relations with Italy in 1861 after the unification of Italy and later re-established them in 1944. So, unless we’re counting some very creative alternate history, their “alliance” didn’t stretch back to the Roman Empire.
But the best part of this whole spectacle? The translator’s reaction has now become iconic, and it’s impossible not to imagine her bracing herself for the next time Trump might drop another history bomb. After all, if this is what we’re dealing with, it’s likely not the last time we’ll hear something equally strange from the man himself. So here’s hoping we get more moments like this — because in the midst of all the chaos, it’s these little gems that can make us laugh through it all.