Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Maloney held a surprise meeting with President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, becoming the latest world leader to meet with the president-elect, who will take office later this month.
Meloni stayed the entire evening, including a screening of a Trump documentary John Eastmanone of his closest associates who tried to help him in his quest to overturn the 2020 election results.
Meloni, who became prime minister in October 2022, helped found the now-defunct Brotherhood of Italy the most right-wing government in Italy after World War II. Trump praised her on Saturday night, saying she had “really taken Europe by storm”.
Trump and Maloney were joined by Senator Marco Rubio, who Trump has elected to the position of Secretary of StateRep. Mike Waltz, his selection for national security adviser and Scott Besant, his choice for the post of finance minister. Trump's pick for ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertito, was also there.
No details of what they discussed were released. Trump said, “We're just having lunch today.”
Meloni met with Trump and one of his closest allies, Elon Musk, last month when they were both in Paris to attend reopening of Notre Dame. Meloni and Musk have deep ties, with Musk became the headliner a conservative political festival sponsored by the Brothers of Italy.
Meloni is also set to meet with President Biden when he visits Rome next week.