Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an unofficial visit to US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Saturday. Meloni and Trump dined and watched “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice” a documentary focusing on a lawyer charged with attempting to overturn the 2020 US election results in favor of Trump during the visit, according to an AFP report.
According to US journalists present, Trump praised Meloni as “a fantastic woman” and lauded her leadership in Europe.
The visit is part of a series of engagements by international leaders seeking to establish rapport with the incoming administration.
“Nice evening with Donald Trump, whom I thank for the welcome. Ready to work together,” Meloni wrote on social media, accompanied by a photograph of the two standing at the entrance of Trump’s Florida estate. The meeting quickly became front-page news in Italy, highlighting the close ties between the far-right Italian leader and the former US president.
“She’s really taken Europe by storm, and everyone else, and we’re just having dinner tonight,” Trump said.
Meloni’s visit follows similar interactions between Trump and other foreign leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, reflecting heightened diplomatic activity ahead of Trump’s January 20 inauguration. Trump’s proposed economic policies, including potential heavy import tariffs, have spurred traditional allies to seek clarity on future trade relations.
The meeting was attended by Trump’s nominees for key cabinet positions, Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Representative Mike Waltz for national security advisor. Photos from the event showed the two appointees engaging with Meloni, signaling possible discussions on international collaborations.
One topic speculated to have been on the agenda was the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Iran last month. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani has confirmed that efforts are ongoing to secure Sala’s release, describing the situation as a diplomatic priority for Italy. Iranian authorities allege Sala violated local laws, a claim that has drawn widespread concern in Europe.
Meloni’s visit to Florida comes shortly after she attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where she dined with Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.