Overview
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told the NIAF 50th‑anniversary gala that the United States and Italy stand as “the columns of the free world.”
- She denounced what she called “woke culture,” declared that Columbus Day “is here to stay,” and thanked President Donald Trump for last week’s proclamation restoring the celebration.
- Italian President Sergio Mattarella sent a message praising Italian‑American contributions, which Ambassador Marco Peronaci read at the event.
- Trump posted a 21‑second clip of Meloni on Truth and reshared a supportive post praising her, a move some commentators interpreted as a sign of closer rapport; tariff negotiations remain an EU competence and Meloni has not claimed a solo mandate.
- The gala honored figures including Andrea Bocelli, John Elkann and Aurelio De Laurentiis, while ministers and business leaders joined collateral meetings on transatlantic investment and technology cooperation.