Television debut triggers confrontation

The controversy began on Monday, 5 October 2026, when Tommaso Cerno launched the second season of his daily programme 2 di Picche, which broadcasts weekdays at 14:00 on Rai 2. During his opening monologue, Cerno addressed political proposals from Roberto Vannacci and his party, Futuro Nazionale, regarding restrictions on broadcast content during daytime hours. Cerno noted claims that homosexual presenters should be relegated to protected timeslots away from children, countering that true protection stems from democratic liberty and open public discourse. He added that if gay figures were barred from television screens, networks would have nothing left to broadcast except commercial advertisements between 08:00 and 24:00.

Vannacci attacks Cerno in news agency remarks

On 6 October 2026, Vannacci responded directly to the television broadcast during an interview with the Adnkronos news agency. The MEP and Futuro Nazionale leader rejected assertions that his political movement sought to prohibit homosexual individuals from appearing on television. He argued that broadcasting regulations during protected hours should apply equally to heterosexual and homosexual content to prevent gender propaganda when children are watching. Vannacci then shifted to personal remarks about Cerno's career, pointing out his prior roles as a Democratic Party senator and Arcigay director alongside his current positions directing Il Giornale and hosting on Rai.

“I do not know whether those with inverted tastes have a license to utter bigger nonsense than those whose tastes fit into normality, but the rules on television will be the same for everyone: in protected hours, when children are in front of the screen, neither those with homosexual tastes nor those with heterosexual tastes should be able to make gender and homosexualist propaganda.”

State broadcaster and institutional condemnation

The remarks drew condemnation from the board of directors of Italy's public broadcaster, Rai. In an official statement, the board described the phrase as offensive and discriminatory, affirming that public service media can debate ideas firmly but cannot allow sexual orientation to be weaponized against professional figures.

“Speaking of 'inverted tastes' is an offensive and discriminatory expression, which cannot find space in civil and institutional discourse. In the public service, ideas can be discussed and contested, even firmly. However, it is not acceptable for sexual orientation to be used to delegitimize a person or their professional role.”

Senate President Ignazio La Russa also expressed solidarity with Cerno. La Russa stated that political disagreement and debate can never justify personal attacks or derogatory references to an individual's private choices and sphere.

Reactions across the political spectrum

Cerno replied to Vannacci by stating that resorting to personal insults demonstrates an inability to debate substantive issues. The editor of Il Giornale noted that such personal attacks are a familiar tactic and argued that Vannacci's legislative voting record aligns with the political left. Lega MEP Susanna Ceccardi criticized Vannacci, declaring that a free journalist does not need to present a certificate of normality to an ex-general. Ceccardi accused Vannacci of using Lega as a convenient taxi for his election before abandoning the party, and she challenged him to face Cerno in a direct television debate on 2 di Picche.