Tilman Fertitta Courts Italian Politicians Aboard 383-Foot Yacht as Trump Ties With Meloni Cool
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 30
Tilman Fertitta Courts Italian Politicians Aboard 383-Foot Yacht as Trump Ties With Meloni Cool
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 30
Summary
Billionaire ambassador Tilman Fertitta has been hosting Italy’s political class aboard his 383-foot mega yacht, the Boardwalk, in what amounts to floating U.S. diplomacy.
Bari, Naples and Venice have become stops on that outreach, with Fertitta using the vessel to cultivate ties across Italy’s political establishment.
The effort comes as President Donald Trump is described as being on the outs with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, giving Fertitta’s personal diplomacy added significance.
With an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion and Sicilian family roots, Fertitta ranks among the wealthiest U.S. ambassadors and brings unusual personal stature to the Rome post.