U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently had a public conflict regarding the Iran issue, while Tilmant Fertitta, a wealthy businessman and close ally of Trump who acts as the U.S. ambassador to Italy, has been traveling along Italian coastal cities for two months on his luxury yacht, as reported by the New York Times (NYT) and the Financial Times (FT) on the 18th (local time).
As reported by international media, Fertitta has been touring Italy’s coastal cities since last month on board the ‘Boardwalk,’ a luxury yacht worth $450 million (about 670 billion South Korean won) that he owns. The vessel, roughly 120 meters in length and featuring seven levels, includes a swimming pool, hot tub, spa, cinema, and golf practice area. The Boardwalk is said to be Fertitta’s sixth yacht.
Fertitta has traveled to approximately 10 cities, such as Palermo, Venice, and Genoa, under the justification of marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and enhancing U.S.-Italy relations. He has brought Italian politicians, business leaders, and military personnel onto his yacht. Fertitta stated to the NYT, “How often do people have the chance to step aboard a vessel like this,” claiming that displaying the lifestyle of the American elite in Italy would aid in reinforcing the relationship between the two countries.
The U.S. Embassy in Rome mentioned that Fertitta would personally pay for the yacht tour, which would enable him to interact directly with the Italian public. Even though Fertitta covers the expenses, the FT noted that Italy would face substantial security costs. Italian coast guard ships and helicopters have been deployed to safeguard Fertitta’s yacht. Moreover, there were cases where Fertitta altered the cities he was visiting during the tour, requiring security measures to be quickly modified. According to the Vienna Convention, Italy is required to guarantee the safety of foreign ambassadors within the country. Italian officials declined to provide information on the security expenses.
Luana Zanella, a representative from Italy’s Green Left Alliance, condemned Fertitta’s yacht trip as a “diplomatic getaway” that places financial burdens on Italy, which is facing economic challenges. In Venice, where Fertitta arrived via yacht, local citizens staged demonstrations. Stella Pay, a community activist who led a protest with hundreds of participants, stated, “This is an unusual method of conducting diplomacy,” and remarked, “It symbolically reflects the political system Trump aims to establish by merging political and economic authority.”
After tensions between Trump and Meloni escalated, Fertitta’s coastal city tour took place. The two leaders were previously referred to as “close friends,” but their relationship turned icy when Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV in April, labeling him “lenient on crime and with poor international policies,” prompting Meloni to publicly state, “I cannot accept this.” Trump also voiced significant frustration over Italy’s decision not to back U.S. military actions in the Iran conflict.
Fertitta mentioned to the NYT that he didn’t care about the connection between the two leaders, saying, “These details don’t influence my relationship or U.S.-Italy ties.” Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Foreign Minister, told the FT, “Fertitta is serving as a key bridge between the Meloni government and the Trump administration.”
Fertitta is not a professional diplomat but was selected as an “airdrop” ambassador by Trump. He is said to have contributed significant amounts to both the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. since the 1990s. As the proprietor of Landry’s, a company that manages hotels and casinos, and as the owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, his wealth is valued at $11.1 billion (16.5 trillion South Korean won).
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