After the Hungarian Viktor Orban, it was Giorgia Meloni who went this Saturday to Donald Trump’s residence in Florida. The national-conservative Italian prime minister appeared alongside the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago property on Saturday.
Since the election in November, world leaders have come and gone: Argentinian Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been seen there in recent weeks.
“It’s very exciting”Mr. Trump told the gathered crowd of Ms. Meloni, “I’m here with a fantastic woman, the Prime Minister of Italy. She’s really taken Europe by storm, and every other country, and we’re just having dinner tonight.”he added.
The president-elect watched a documentary with Ms. Meloni, as well as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom he chose as secretary of state in the incoming administration, and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, whom Mr. Trump appointed national security advisor. Scott Bessent, whom he chose to lead the Treasury Department, was also there.
Giorgia Meloni’s visit follows the recent detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala by Iranian police while reporting in Tehran. This affair has exacerbated tensions between Italy and Iran, which is demanding the release of an Iranian businessman arrested in Milan under an American arrest warrant. This businessman is linked to a drone attack in Jordan last year that killed three American soldiers.
US President Joe Biden is due to travel to Rome this Thursday to meet Ms Meloni and Pope Francis. The White House said the meeting with the Italian prime minister “will highlight the strength of the relationship between the United States and Italy”and Mr Biden is expected to thank the head of government for her leadership of the G7 over the past year.
