Italy PM Giorgia Meloni Makes Surprise Mar-a-Lago Visit, Trump Says ‘She’s Taken Europe By Storm’
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit to former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The visit is seen as a further sign of Meloni's alignment with Trump's political circle.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an unannounced visit to United States President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday, her office confirmed on Sunday. Photos shared by her office depicted Meloni and Trump posing at the entrance of Mar-a-Lago and conversing in a reception room adorned with a Christmas tree in the background, as per news agency AFP.
The surprise visit, reported by US media, included a film screening and dinner. No official statement has been issued from Meloni's office in this regard.
Trump introduced Meloni to members of the Mar-a-Lago resort, where she received applause. An NBC News report quoted Trump as saying, “This is very exciting. I’m here with a fantastic woman, the prime minister of Italy. She’s really taken Europe by storm.”
Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, is perceived as a potential ally for Trump, given her conservative credentials and the stability of her right-wing coalition government, which has been in power since late 2022. Her growing rapport with billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk, a Trump ally who played a pivotal role in his election campaign, further establishes her alignment with Trump’s circle.
Bloomberg, citing an unnamed source, reported that Meloni and Trump discussed tariffs and the arrest in Iran of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala. The visit also featured a screening of The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice.
Exclusive close-up footage: Trump appears with Italian PM Georgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago as he greets supporters ahead of a film screening tonight about lawfare. pic.twitter.com/mecbmER0S6
— Iris Tao (@IrisTaoTV) January 5, 2025
According to NBC, Italy’s EU and Regional Affairs Minister Tommaso Foti commented on the significance of the visit, describing Italy as “a diplomatic bridge between two worlds: the European Union and the USA.”
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Photographs from Meloni’s office also showed her meeting with Florida Senator Marco Rubio. The visit comes just days before Meloni is set to receive US President Joe Biden, who will be in Rome from 9–12 January for discussions with Meloni and a separate meeting with Pope Francis.
Addressing the Italian parliament in December, Meloni stressed the importance of a “pragmatic, constructive and open approach with the new Trump administration,” advocating for a cooperative EU-US relationship while minimising potential trade disputes.
The Italian Prime Minister’s visit to Trump follows similar meetings by other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated for his second term on 20 January.
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