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Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026
Outside the box.
Giorgia Meloni Accepts Invitation to Attend Donald Trump's Potential Inauguration
The Italian Prime Minister joins European far-right leaders in considering attendance at a possible event, highlighting political alignments amid diplomatic discussions.
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, confirmed she has received an invitation to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration should he secure the U.S. presidency again.
Speaking at a press conference in Rome on Thursday, Meloni stated her willingness to participate in the event scheduled for January 20, provided it fits into her agenda.
In doing so, she ends weeks of speculation concerning her presence among the invitees for the event.
‘I would be happy to be there,’ Meloni remarked.
‘I’m evaluating the compatibility with the agenda.
If I can, I will gladly participate.’
If Meloni attends, she will not be the only representative from Europe’s far-right political spectrum.
Éric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate known for his anti-immigration rhetoric, also declared his intention to attend.
Additionally, Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, a nationalist figure, has been extended the same invitation.
Meloni's earlier interactions with Trump included a meeting at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris and a recent visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
‘The idea [for the trip] came up in Paris and was an opportunity to confirm a very solid relationship,’ Meloni conveyed.
While speaking positively of her association with Trump, she acknowledged an ‘excellent relationship with [Joe] Biden,’ suggesting that shared conservative leadership could strengthen ties, offering ‘added value for Italy and the EU.’
Meloni noted that discussions with Trump were broad and not issue-specific.
However, The New York Times reported that Meloni prioritized the topic of Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who returned to Italy following her release from an Iranian prison.
Meloni emphasized Sala's release as a success of collaborative diplomatic efforts between Italy, Iran, and the United States.
The press conference also included Meloni’s comments on Tesla founder Elon Musk’s recent criticisms of European leaders, including Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Meloni, who has maintained constructive relations with Musk since her ascent to power in October 2022, downplayed these statements as non-interfering.
‘The problem is when wealthy people use their resources to finance parties, associations, and political exponents all over the world to influence the political choices of nation states,’ she stated, defending Musk against allegations of interference.
Rumors suggest Italy is engaging in discussions with Musk's SpaceX to utilize the Starlink satellite system for secure governmental communications.
Meloni stated she has not directly engaged in these talks but reassured that such initiatives are guided by national interest and are currently exploratory without public alternatives.
Addressing Trump’s comments regarding the strategic interests in Greenland and the Panama Canal, Meloni opined these statements as diplomatic signals rather than territorial ambitions.
She specified, ‘I rule out that the US in the coming years will try to forcefully annex territories that interest them,’ highlighting these remarks as indicative of U.S. attentiveness to Chinese activities in those regions.
Speaking at a press conference in Rome on Thursday, Meloni stated her willingness to participate in the event scheduled for January 20, provided it fits into her agenda.
In doing so, she ends weeks of speculation concerning her presence among the invitees for the event.
‘I would be happy to be there,’ Meloni remarked.
‘I’m evaluating the compatibility with the agenda.
If I can, I will gladly participate.’
If Meloni attends, she will not be the only representative from Europe’s far-right political spectrum.
Éric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate known for his anti-immigration rhetoric, also declared his intention to attend.
Additionally, Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, a nationalist figure, has been extended the same invitation.
Meloni's earlier interactions with Trump included a meeting at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris and a recent visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
‘The idea [for the trip] came up in Paris and was an opportunity to confirm a very solid relationship,’ Meloni conveyed.
While speaking positively of her association with Trump, she acknowledged an ‘excellent relationship with [Joe] Biden,’ suggesting that shared conservative leadership could strengthen ties, offering ‘added value for Italy and the EU.’
Meloni noted that discussions with Trump were broad and not issue-specific.
However, The New York Times reported that Meloni prioritized the topic of Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who returned to Italy following her release from an Iranian prison.
Meloni emphasized Sala's release as a success of collaborative diplomatic efforts between Italy, Iran, and the United States.
The press conference also included Meloni’s comments on Tesla founder Elon Musk’s recent criticisms of European leaders, including Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Meloni, who has maintained constructive relations with Musk since her ascent to power in October 2022, downplayed these statements as non-interfering.
‘The problem is when wealthy people use their resources to finance parties, associations, and political exponents all over the world to influence the political choices of nation states,’ she stated, defending Musk against allegations of interference.
Rumors suggest Italy is engaging in discussions with Musk's SpaceX to utilize the Starlink satellite system for secure governmental communications.
Meloni stated she has not directly engaged in these talks but reassured that such initiatives are guided by national interest and are currently exploratory without public alternatives.
Addressing Trump’s comments regarding the strategic interests in Greenland and the Panama Canal, Meloni opined these statements as diplomatic signals rather than territorial ambitions.
She specified, ‘I rule out that the US in the coming years will try to forcefully annex territories that interest them,’ highlighting these remarks as indicative of U.S. attentiveness to Chinese activities in those regions.
