Claims circulating on social media that Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles said ‘I’m with Trump’ during a meeting with the US ambassador are false, according to an audio analysis of the conversation.
The claim spread widely after clips from Wednesday’s meeting between Robles and US ambassador Benjamin Leon Jr. were shared on X, including by Spain’s opposition People’s Party (PP).
In several posts, users alleged the minister had said: ‘No, no, I’m with Trump. What happens is that here people…’ – suggesting the Spanish government privately supports the US president.
However, a detailed review of the recording shows Robles actually said ‘I’m comfortable’ (‘yo estoy comoda’), not ‘I’m with Trump’.
What the audio really says
The meeting took place on March 4 at 5pm at the Defence Ministry. The only available footage comes from short video clips released by news agencies and includes background noise that initially made parts of the conversation unclear.
After cleaning the audio using professional sound techniques, journalists were able to hear the exchange more clearly.
According to the verified transcription, the conversation was about the temperature in the room:
- Robles: ‘Do you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to turn the heating off because… I’m quite sensitive to the cold. Shall we lower it a bit?’
- Leon: ‘If you want, it doesn’t bother me.’
- Robles: ‘It doesn’t bother you?’
- León: ‘No, no.’
- Robles: ‘I’m saying it because…’
- León: ‘I’m also very sensitive to the cold.’
- Robles: ‘Then we’ll leave it on.’
- León: ‘Are you comfortable?’
- Robles: ‘No, no, I’m comfortable. It’s just that sometimes people here…’
Audio slowed down and analysed using a transcription tool also confirmed the word used by the minister was ‘comoda’ (comfortable).
Political row amid US-Spain tensions
Despite the clarification, the PP later repeated its claim on social media, suggesting the alleged comment could explain why the White House said Spain might cooperate militarily with the United States.
Spain’s government has firmly denied any change in policy, insisting it has not agreed to support US military operations related to the conflict with Iran.
The controversy comes at a particularly tense moment in relations between Madrid and Washington, after Spain refused to allow the US to use the Rota and Morón bases for operations linked to strikes on Iran.
US President Donald Trump has since threatened to cut trade ties with Spain, calling the country a ‘terrible ally.’
