Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an unofficial visit to President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Saturday, joining a growing list of foreign leaders meeting with Trump as he prepares for his second term in office.
Photos released by Meloni’s office early Sunday showed the two leaders posing at Mar-a-Lago’s entrance and engaging in conversation in a festively decorated reception room, complete with a Christmas tree in the background.
Speaking to reporters, Trump praised Meloni as “a fantastic woman” and commended her leadership. “She’s really taken Europe by storm, and everyone else, and we’re just having dinner tonight,” Trump remarked. The two reportedly dined together and watched The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice, a documentary about attorney John Eastman, who faced legal troubles over his role in the 2020 election challenges.
The meeting between the two conservative leaders dominated Italy’s Sunday newspaper front pages, reflecting the significance of the visit in European and international politics. Meloni joins other prominent foreign leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in seeking discussions with Trump before his inauguration.
Trump’s proposed policies, particularly his promises to impose heavy import tariffs, have sparked concern among America’s traditional allies in Europe, who are bracing for potential trade disruptions. Meloni’s visit underscores the European scramble to adapt to the incoming administration’s economic vision.
Meanwhile, one of Trump’s top advisors, tech billionaire Elon Musk, has stirred tensions across Europe with recent outspoken comments. Musk has openly criticized the governments of Germany and the United Kingdom, while expressing support for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced Musk’s remarks as “erratic” on the same day as Meloni’s visit, further highlighting the uneasy relationship between Trump’s team and European leaders.
