Trump praises Italy PM as a fantastic woman when visiting Florida

Trump praises Italy PM as a fantastic woman when visiting Florida

The designated US President Donald Trump praised the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a "fantastic woman", while she was the youngest world leader in Mar-A-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida.

an exciting meeting in Florida

"This is very exciting," he said in a speech in front of those present. "I am here with a fantastic woman, the Prime Minister of Italy. She really conquered Europe by storm." Meloni, member of the right-wing party Brüder in Italy, took over her office in October 2022 and has close connections to the upcoming Trump administration, in particular to his ally Elon Musk.

stability in Italy in contrast to Europe

While European heavyweights are fighting France and Germany with political turbulence, Meloni's stable coalition in Italy offers a welcome partnership for future US president. Trump and Meloni were accompanied by his nominees for the foreign minister and the national security advisor-Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and MP Mike Waltz (R-Florida).

diplomatic topics on the agenda

Although no details were published on the topics discussed, the Italian guide, like many others, was looking for ways to strengthen the relationship with the designated president before his inauguration on January 20. CNN asked Meloni's office and the transition team from Trump to comment.

The detention of Cecilia Sala

A possible topic could arrest the Italian journalist cecilia sala was arrested in Iran last month. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed last week in a statement that Sala, a reporter of the Italian daily IL Foglio, was recorded in Tehran. The Iranian news agency Irna announced on Monday that Sala had been arrested on December 19 after "violations of the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran".

a diplomatic headache for Italy

Salas arrest posed Italy with diplomatic challenges. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that his government "tirelessly" is working on bringing her home.

growing relationships between Meloni and Trump

As a sign of the growing relationship between Italy's guide and Trump's camp, Andrea Stroppa, a Cybersecurity expert and ally of Elon Musk, posted in Rome, posted a fake AI picture that Meloni shows together with Trump and Musk. All three are dressed in clothes that are reminiscent of the Roman Empire.

Important discussions with President Biden

Meloni will also meet this week when a visit by President Joe Biden in Rome. Biden will thank her for her "strong leadership of the G7 last year and address important challenges", as can be seen from a statement by the White House.

a geopolitical team

Your visit to Florida follows a dinner together with Trump and Musk during the reopening of the Cathedral Notre-Dame in Paris last month, which Trump later described as positive. Although Trump and Meloni are politically similar, they do not agree on all current conflicts. Meloni is one of the strongest supporters in Ukraine and has met President Wolodymyr Selenskyj since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

strong friendship with Elon Musk

In addition, Musk and Meloni consolidated their close friendship in the summer of 2023. The Tesla founder was the main speaker at the political convention of Meloni's brothers in Italy in December last year.

first meeting after re -election

The Libertary President of Argentina, Javier Milei, was the first world leader to hit Trump in Mar-A-Lago after his re-election. Other visitors included Hungary Viktor Orban and Canadas Justin Trudeau.

CNNS DJ Judd contributed to this report.