Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, marking a key diplomatic engagement ahead of Trump’s inauguration to the Oval Office.

Meloni’s visit comes just days before her scheduled meeting with outgoing US President Joe Biden in Rome, signaling her intent to establish strong ties with the incoming administration. She joins a list of world leaders, including Argentinian President Javier Milei, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who have traveled to Florida to meet Trump since his election victory in November.

Shared Vision on US-EU Relations

Meloni, widely regarded as a potential close ally of Trump, shares a security-first ideology and a strong focus on reshaping US-European relations. Her close ties with tech billionaire Elon Musk, a figure expected to hold significant influence during Trump’s second term, further strengthen her standing as a strategic partner.

During the meeting, Meloni reportedly discussed pressing global issues, including the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. According to Italian media, she also raised concerns about the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran, an issue straining relations between Italy and Tehran.

Trump, known for his hardline stance on Iran during his first term, is expected to revive his "maximum pressure campaign" against the country once in office.

A Warm Welcome at Mar-a-Lago

Videos shared on social media captured Meloni receiving applause from guests at the Mar-a-Lago resort as Trump introduced her to the crowd. “This is very exciting. I’m here with a fantastic woman, the prime minister of Italy,” Trump said, calling her leadership transformative. “She’s really taken Europe by storm.”

The evening included a private screening of a documentary highlighting challenges faced by conservative lawyers in the legal system. Attendees included Trump’s key cabinet picks for his second term: Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, and Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary nominee.

No Official Statement Yet

While no official statement has been released regarding the discussions, Meloni’s visit underscores her commitment to aligning Italy’s foreign policy with the emerging priorities of the Trump administration.

As Trump prepares to assume office, the meeting signals a potential deepening of US-Italy ties, with Meloni positioning herself as a key European ally in a rapidly shifting global landscape.