Iran Trump receives Meloni in Mar-a-Lago
Even before the change of power in the White House, future US President Donald Trump received Italy's right-wing head of government Giorgia Meloni. The Republican hosted the prime minister at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Meloni flew from Rome to Florida especially for the event and returned that night. The fate of an Italian journalist imprisoned in Iran was also discussed.
05.01.2025, 11:47
SDA
The leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) is regarded in Europe as the head of government with the best connections to the Trump camp. The former president returns to the White House on January 20 following his election victory in November. Meloni also maintains a friendly relationship with US billionaire Elon Musk, who advises the Republican. However, Musk was not visible in photos published of the dinner.
Trump calls guest from Rome "fantastic woman"
Trump, who had already met Meloni at the beginning of December on the sidelines of the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, once again praised Italy's prime minister to the skies. Meloni is a "fantastic woman". "She has taken Europe by storm and everyone else too."
The Fratelli leader has led a coalition of three right-wing parties for two years. There is speculation in Italy that she will also be attending Trump's inauguration in Washington in just over two weeks' time. Photos from Mar-a-Lago also showed the designated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's security advisor Mike Waltz.
Orban also a guest - Scholz only on the phone
The reception for Meloni at Mar-a-Lago is a clear indication of who Trump particularly appreciates among the European heads of government. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was also a guest there previously. Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Notre Dame celebrations. There was telephone contact with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The conversation with Meloni also focused on the journalist Cecilia Sala, who has been in solitary confinement in Tehran since shortly before Christmas. The Iranian authorities accuse the 29-year-old of violating the Islamic Republic's media laws. In Italy, however, it is suspected that Sala is being held as a bargaining chip to prevent the deportation of a suspected arms dealer with an Iranian passport, who was arrested in Milan, to the USA.
Musk confidant posts photo collage in golden robes
There was initially no comment from Meloni herself. She was due to land back in Rome this afternoon. The outgoing US President Joe Biden is expected in the Italian capital next week. Meetings with Pope Francis and Meloni are on the agenda.
The Prime Minister recently defended Trump adviser Musk against criticism from other European capitals. The latter's representative in Italy, Andrea Stroppa, published a photo collage for the visit to Florida. It shows Meloni, Trump and Musk in golden Roman robes. Trump is wearing a purple toga and laurel wreath.
