Donald Trump, future president of the United States, has announced the appointment of Tilman Fertitta, well-known billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Houston Rockets NBA team, as the new United States ambassador to Italy. Fertitta is a leading figure in the entertainment and real estate industries, as well as president of the Landry's Group, a hospitality giant that operates more than 600 restaurants, casinos and hotels, employing approximately 50,000 people across the country.
Despite his lack of political experience, Fertitta is a longtime supporter of the Republican Party and a major donor to Trump's Save America PAC.
In a message published on Truth Social, Trump presented Fertitta as an “accomplished entrepreneur” who has successfully built one of the most important companies in the American economic landscape.
Fertitta's appointment fits into Trump's consolidated model, which often selects entrepreneurs, allies and donors for high-profile diplomatic positions. Other notable names recently appointed include Warren Stephens and Tom Barrack, ambassadors for the United Kingdom and Turkey respectively, as well as Charles Kushner and Kimberly Guilfoyle, chosen for France and Greece.
Fertitta, a Texas native, also serves as president of the University of Houston Board of Regents. His notoriety extends to the world of television, having participated as the protagonist in CNBC's “Billion Dollar Buyer” program. At the same time, Trump announced the appointment of Mark Burnett, producer of the show “The Apprentice”, as special envoy for the United Kingdom.
The Trump administration plans to work closely with Italy, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The latter was defined by Trump himself as an “extraordinary leader” and a “fantastic person”, while the technology magnate Elon Musk, a close advisor to Trump, recently praised her as “a precious genius”.
The choice of Fertitta, although unconventional, demonstrates Trump's intention to favor successful figures in the private sector for diplomatic positions, strengthening strategic relations between the United States and Italy.
