Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently concluded a five-hour meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Meloni expressed her gratitude for the welcome, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Beautiful evening with @realDonaldTrump whom I thank for the welcome. Ready to work together,” alongside a photo of the two. The meeting reportedly included potential members of Trump’s incoming administration, such as Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the nominee for Secretary of State, and Scott Bessent, the nominee for Treasury Secretary.
RaiNews reported that Trump lauded Meloni as “a fantastic woman” who has made a significant impact on the European stage. The meeting also included a screening of *The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice*, a documentary focusing on the challenges conservatives face within the American legal system. This theme resonates deeply with Meloni, given her mentor, the late Silvio Berlusconi’s, extensive experience battling legal challenges in Italy.
Berlusconi, a former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul, faced over two decades of legal battles, leading him to publicly criticize Italy’s judiciary in 2013. He described the system as “uncontrollable and uncontrolled,” alleging persecution with a “fury that has no equal anywhere in the civilized world.” His sentiments were echoed by Italian parliament member Luca d’Alessandro, who lamented the perceived corruption within the Italian legal system. D’Alessandro expressed solidarity with Berlusconi, asserting his innocence against the accusations. The shared experience of navigating complex and potentially politicized legal systems appears to have formed a significant point of connection between Meloni and Trump during their meeting.