Trump‑Meloni Tensions Mount as U.S. Ambassador Cruises Sicily on Private Yacht

While President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have been locked in an unusually testy public dispute, the United States’ ambassador to Rome, Tilman J. Fertitta, has spent months sailing Italy’s coastline aboard his $450 million superyacht.

The 384‑foot, seven‑deck vessel, known as Boardwalk, anchored off Palermo in Sicily to host a gathering of Sicilian officials and dignitaries. Guests enjoyed the yacht’s amenities—pools, hot tubs, a spa offering facials and pedicures, a movie screening room, a putting green, multiple bars and two helicopters—sipping wine, tasting antipasti and posing for photos on the shoeless deck. The event was documented on Fertitta’s Instagram feed.

The diplomatic feud intensified over the July 4 weekend, with Trump posting on social media that he needed a “restraining order” against Meloni after she allegedly “begged” for a photo at a world‑leaders gathering. Despite the high‑profile row, Fertitta said he had spoken with both leaders “in the last couple of weeks,” adding, “I listened to ’em both. And they both make sense to me.”

“The president is ‘upset with Giorgia Meloni,’” Fertitta conceded during a 90‑minute interview aboard the yacht, noting that the tension did not affect his bilateral relationship or broader U.S.–Italian ties. He emphasized that his role was to foster people‑to‑people connections, even as leader‑level relations soured.

Critics argue that Fertitta’s lavish tours undermine diplomatic norms. Novelist Michele Masneri of Il Foglio described the spectacle as “something that comes from a movie, from an Italian comedy,” suggesting the ambassador’s duties have taken a tourist‑like turn. An opposition lawmaker has called for a government inquiry into the cost of Italian police escorts for the yacht, though Rome has declined to comment.

A Bipartisan Political Donor

Even among political appointees, Fertitta, a billionaire restaurant‑ and casino‑mogul who also owns the Houston Rockets, stands out for his wealth—ranked $11.1 billion by Forbes. He renovated the official ambassadorial residence, Villa Taverna, at an estimated cost of $3 million. Though self‑identified as conservative, he has donated to both parties, giving $13,200 to Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign and roughly $500,000 to Trump’s political action committees. He describes himself as “a loyal American” rather than a strict partisan.

Fertitta’s great‑grandparents emigrated from Sicily over 130 years ago, and he has long sought ties to the country. In 2021 he attempted to purchase A.C. Milan, falling about $200 million short of the winning bid. He admits he does not speak Italian but hopes his visits create grassroots goodwill.

The Sailor‑Ambassador

Fertitta’s maritime schedule often follows spontaneous impulses. While cruising near Sicily, he and his wife, Lauren, spotted the village of Acciaroli and decided to stop. Mayor Stefano Pisani recalled preparing for the ambassador’s surprise visit with just 15 minutes’ notice, ultimately hosting a three‑hour tour and dinner.

On July 4, the yacht anchored in Cefalù’s historic port. Fertitta’s entourage arrived in two skiffs, including his wife, youngest daughter, adult sons, friends, Italian security agents and staff. Local onlookers, some calling out “Viva Trump!”, watched as the ambassador walked through the town, presented Italian editions of his book “Shut Up and Listen!‚” to the mayor, met distant relatives and received marriage registries tracing his family to the 16th century from Cefalù’s bishop.

Fertitta described the job as “very enjoyable,” though he said he does not view his work as “fun.” He indicated he would consider a second term as ambassador, regardless of the administration in office, and expressed no interest in elected office, citing his desire to remain on his yacht.

The article was reported in part by Josephine de La Bruyère in Rome.

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