Trump Hosts Italian PM Meloni at Mar-a-Lago Amid Transition Activities/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday. The two attended a documentary screening alongside Trump’s incoming administration picks, discussing Italy-U.S. ties amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Trump Hosts Italian PM: Key Points
- Meeting Details: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and joined him for a documentary screening.
- Transition Team: Trump’s picks for key cabinet positions, including Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) and Mike Waltz (National Security Adviser), attended the event.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Meloni’s visit follows heightened tensions between Italy and Iran over journalist Cecilia Sala’s detention and an Iranian businessman’s arrest in Milan.
- Biden’s Rome Visit: President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Meloni and Pope Francis in Rome this week.
Trump Hosts Italian PM Meloni at Mar-a-Lago Amid Transition Activities
Deep Look
Trump’s Florida Diplomacy
President-elect Donald Trump continued his informal diplomatic engagements at Mar-a-Lago, hosting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The meeting comes weeks after Trump met with Argentina President Javier Milei, the first world leader to visit him following his 2024 election victory.
Trump praised Meloni during the event, calling her “a fantastic woman” and commending her leadership in Europe.
Key Administration Members Present
The screening was attended by Trump’s key administration picks:
- Marco Rubio, Florida Senator and Secretary of State-designate.
- Mike Waltz, Florida Representative and incoming National Security Adviser.
- Scott Bessent, chosen to lead the Treasury Department.
Italy-Iran Tensions
Meloni’s visit comes as tensions rise between Italy and Iran over journalist Cecilia Sala’s detention in Tehran. Sala was held late last month while reporting, escalating diplomatic strains.
Iran is demanding the release of an Iranian businessman recently arrested in Milan on a U.S. warrant. The businessman is linked to a drone attack in Jordan last year that killed three American soldiers.
Biden’s Upcoming Visit to Italy
President Joe Biden is set to travel to Rome this week to meet with Meloni and Pope Francis. According to the White House, Biden’s meeting with Meloni will focus on strengthening U.S.-Italy relations and acknowledging her leadership during Italy’s G7 presidency.
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