Tilman Fertitta arrived in Venice on a luxury superyacht to face protests from rioters during the city's annual festival.
Tilman Fertitta, the US ambassador to Italy, arrived in Venice on Friday aboard his $450 million superyacht, Boardwalk, sparking a demonstration by approximately 300 rioters. The ambassador, a close ally and donor to President Trump, is currently conducting a "coastal diplomacy" tour to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary. The rioters gathered in the historic center to protest the ambassador's display of wealth and the policies of the administration, including the war in Iran. Many demonstrators criticized the use of extensive police resources to escort the private vessel, while others argued that the city is being sold to billionaires. Fertitta is personally funding the trip, which includes meetings with local business leaders and celebrities. While the US embassy has not commented on the protests, the Italian Foreign Ministry noted that the coastal diplomacy tour is functioning well. The visit comes amid a period of tense relations between the administration and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.