Surprise Meeting at Mar-a-Lago: Meloni and Trump Discuss Future
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| The Italian prime minister flew to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on Saturday for an informal meeting. |
She is the latest world leader to meet Trump before he takes office later this month. Meloni stayed the whole evening and watched a documentary about John Eastman, one of Trump's close allies who tried to help him overturn the 2020 election results.
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Meloni became prime minister in October 2022. She helped found the Brothers of Italy party, which is the most right-wing government in Italy since World War II. Trump praised her, saying she has "really taken Europe by storm."
Trump and Meloni were joined by Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Mike Waltz, Scott Bessent, and Tilman Fertitta. Rubio is Trump's pick for Secretary of State, Waltz for national security adviser, Bessent for Treasury Secretary, and Fertitta for ambassador to Italy.
Trump greeted a crowd at Mar-a-Lago before a showing of a documentary about his close ally, John Eastman, and he praised the Italian prime minister.
“This is very exciting. I’m here with a fantastic woman, the prime minister of Italy,” Trump told the crowd on Saturday evening.
“She’s really taken Europe by storm, and everyone else, and we’re just having dinner tonight,” he added.
But, no details were released about their discussion. Trump said, "We're just having dinner tonight."
| Biography Full Name: Giorgia Meloni Date of Birth: January 15, 1977 Place of Birth: Rome, Italy Family Background: Meloni was raised in the working-class neighborhood of Garbatella in Rome. Her father, Francesco, left the family when she was just a child, and she was primarily raised by her mother, Anna Paratore, who worked as a writer. This challenging upbringing shaped her strong-willed and independent personality. |
Political Career
Giorgia Meloni’s political career spans decades, marked by her steady rise through Italy’s right-wing political landscape.
Early Political Involvement
At the age of 15, Meloni joined the Youth Front, the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), which was a neo-fascist party founded after World War II. She later became involved in Student Action, the student movement of the National Alliance (AN), which succeeded MSI in 1995.
From 1998 to 2002, Meloni served as a councillor for the Province of Rome, representing the AN. In 2004, she became president of Azione Giovani (Youth Action), the youth wing of the National Alliance. Her leadership and charismatic speeches helped her gain national recognition.
Ministerial Role
In 2008, at just 31 years old, Meloni was appointed Minister of Youth in Silvio Berlusconi’s government, becoming the youngest minister in Italian history. During her tenure, she advocated for policies supporting young Italians, such as initiatives to reduce youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship.
Founding Brothers of Italy
In 2012, Meloni, along with Ignazio La Russa and Guido Crosetto, co-founded Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy - FdI), a right-wing nationalist party. The party is named after the first line of Italy's national anthem. Under her leadership, the party steadily gained popularity, with its strong stance on nationalism, immigration control, and traditional values resonating with many Italians.
In 2014, she became the party's president and led it into the 2018 general elections, where FdI secured a significant foothold in Italian politics.
Prime Minister of Italy
In the 2022 general elections, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy emerged as the largest party, receiving 26% of the vote. This victory made her the leader of a right-wing coalition that included Matteo Salvini’s Lega Nord and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. On October 22, 2022, Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy's first female Prime Minister.
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Political Views
Giorgia Meloni is known for her conservative and nationalist views. Her policies and positions include:
- Traditional Family Values: She strongly opposes same-sex marriage, same-sex parenting, and euthanasia. Meloni has promoted policies supporting nuclear families and higher birth rates in Italy.
- Immigration: She has taken a hard stance on illegal immigration, advocating for stricter border controls and repatriation policies.
- National Sovereignty: Meloni is critical of the European Union’s influence over national policies. She supports greater autonomy for Italy while maintaining its membership in the EU.
- Economic Reforms: She has pushed for tax cuts, reduced bureaucracy, and measures to boost Italy’s economy.
- Cultural Conservatism: Meloni frequently emphasizes the importance of preserving Italian culture and traditions.
| As a public servant, Giorgia Meloni earns a government salary as Prime Minister. While her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, estimates place it at approximately €1 million. This includes income from her political career and investments. She has also published a book, which has contributed to her earnings. |
Achievements
- First Female Prime Minister of Italy: Meloni broke barriers in a traditionally male-dominated political system by becoming Italy's first female leader.
- Leadership Growth: Under her guidance, Brothers of Italy transformed from a minor party into a major political force.
- Advocacy for Youth: As Minister of Youth, she worked to address unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship.
| Giorgia Meloni’s journey from a young activist in Rome to becoming Italy’s first female Prime Minister is a testament to her resilience and determination. While her conservative views and policies spark both support and controversy, she remains a pivotal figure in Italian and European politics. As Prime Minister, Meloni continues to shape Italy’s future with her emphasis on traditional values, economic reforms, and national sovereignty. |
