Richard Grenell, former U.S. Ambassador and key Republican figure, has strongly denounced an article published in Albania just days before the country’s crucial parliamentary elections, calling it a “TOTAL LIE.”
In a public message directed at journalist Alfred Lela from Politiko.al, Grenell emphasized that although he has been observing the Albanian election silently due to Albania’s status as a valued NATO ally, he could not remain silent when blatant misinformation was being spread.
“This story from your outlet is a TOTAL LIE.
It should be corrected immediately and removed if you care about facts,” Grenell stated emphatically on X (Twitter).
Donald Trump Jr. Amplifies Grenell’s Message
The controversy quickly gained even greater visibility when Donald Trump Jr., son of U.S. President Donald Trump, reposted Grenell’s statement, signaling direct support and adding serious political weight to the accusation.
The timing is particularly sensitive, as Albania’s elections approach and political tensions rise both domestically and internationally.
Politiko.al Responds: “The Story Originated From Hashtag.al”
Following the public backlash, Alfred Lela, head of Politiko.al, issued a response clarifying that the controversial piece had not originally been produced by Politiko, but reposted from Hashtag.al.
“Nevertheless, we printed a correction since Politiko.al is unable to follow, prove, or disprove claims brought forth by hashtag.al,” Lela stated.
Politiko.al acknowledged that it could not independently verify the allegations and had therefore issued a correction, but notably did not offer a full retraction.
Background Context: PD’s Lobbying Efforts In The U.S.
This media clash also comes against a broader background of intensified U.S. lobbying by Albanian political figures:
- It was recently revealed that Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party signed a $6 million lobbying contract with Continental Strategy, a firm closely aligned with top figures of the U.S. Republican Party.
- The aim of this contract is to strengthen ties with U.S. officials and counter Berisha’s “non-grata” status in the United States.
- Continental Strategy was founded by former Ambassador Carlos Trujillo and maintains close relationships with influential Republican personalities like Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A High-Stakes Media And Political Battle
This episode illustrates not only the fragility of information flow during an electoral season but also how international political figures can quickly influence narratives in smaller allied nations like Albania.
As Albania heads into one of its most pivotal elections, the tension between domestic media, foreign political actors, and public trust continues to escalate.