Overview

• During an Oval Office meeting on April 17, interpreter Valentina Maiolini-Rothbacher lost her translation thread while translating for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Meloni intervened to self-translate after noticing the lapse, ensuring the meeting continued without significant disruption.
• Maiolini-Rothbacher publicly apologized on April 19, describing the incident as 'terribly embarrassing' and the worst possible scenario for an interpreter.
• She attributed the error to environmental and procedural stressors, including unfamiliarity with the venue, lack of a session moderator, loud interruptions, and direct remarks from Trump.
• The incident underscores the critical yet high-pressure role of interpreters in international diplomacy, where precision and composure are paramount.