US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in the Venice lagoon on his superyacht today, sparking protests against President Donald Trump's policies and heightened security as the city prepares for one of its most important festivals.
Fertitta, a billionaire businessman appointed by Trump as ambassador, is touring the Italian peninsula on his 117-meter yacht, the "Boardwalk," as part of the "Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour," organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence.
Accompanied by a tugboat, the gleaming white yacht slowly docked at the Riva dei Sette Martiri, a wide waterfront promenade about a kilometer from St. Mark's Square.
Authorities have stepped up security measures due to concerns about planned protests, which will coincide with the Festa del Redentore celebration.
This ancient event marks the end of a plague epidemic and will draw thousands of residents and visitors to the lagoon on Saturday for fireworks and religious ceremonies.
Residents of Venice's sensitive city center have long complained about the effects of mass tourism and the city's increasing use as a backdrop for high-profile events, such as the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez in June 2025.
Activists from the Morion community center organized a protest under the slogan "Venezia non si Usa" ("Venice is not used"), which was supposed to start from the city center towards the place where the yacht docked.
Protest organizers said they see Fertitta as a representative of Trump's policies, which they say incite conflict, support Israel's military campaign in Gaza, and contribute to global economic instability and rising prices.
The Italian Greens and the Left (AVS) accused the government of hiring hundreds of police officers, who should be responsible for public safety, as "bodyguards" for Fertitta during his tour of Italy, and called on supporters to protest against the US policy.
A series of public disagreements between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni — particularly after she strongly rejected his claim that she “begged” him for a photo together at the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit — has strained a previously close relationship.
Fertitta dismissed claims of a rift, saying Trump and Maloney have a strong personal relationship.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
