Overview
- On his program Lo Stato delle Cose, Massimo Giletti displayed screenshots of 17 September 2024 WhatsApp exchanges between Sigfrido Ranucci and Maria Rosaria Boccia that referenced a 'giro gay' and included the line 'E Giletti'.
- Giletti, echoing Il Giornale's reporting, asserted the messages are authentic and said they contradict principles of press freedom he defends.
- Ranucci posted that the published chats were partial or manipulated, claimed a reference to intelligence-linked figure Marco Mancini was removed, and warned of legal action.
- Il Giornale reported that the chats were part of inquiry records, while Giletti read the quoted lines on air to reinforce the newspaper’s account.
- Appearing on Giletti’s show, Il Giornale director Tommaso Cerno mocked what he called Report’s 'scoop' about his sexual orientation, as Ranucci promoted a Turin event for his book where he said he would discuss Mancini and the 'incontro all’autogrill'.