According to reports by the Associated Press and other media on the 18th, U.S. Ambassador to Italy and billionaire Tilman Fertitta recently spent two months in diplomatic visits to Italian coastal towns aboard his $450 million private superyacht. This visit was to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and to reaffirm U.S.-Italian relations.
However, when this 117-meter-long superyacht arrived in Venice, it faced fierce protests from hundreds of local residents. The protesters encountered a brief conflict with local riot police as they tried to approach the yacht.
According to American media reports, approximately 300 protesters marched near the yacht, carrying banners that read 'Verdita must leave', 'Venice should not be exploited', and 'Billions ofaires have no place to live'. They viewed Verdita as a representative of Trump's policies, and criticized these policies for exacerbating conflicts, supporting Israel's military actions in Gaza, and contributing to global economic instability and rising prices.
According to sources involved in the event, "The visit of hotel magnate Ferrittia represents an unwelcome display of American wealth and influence." Many Italians believe that the Trump administration is "subverting the international order established after World War II," hence Ferrittia's visit is "unwelcome."
Activist Emmanuel Lepore said that the appearance of this towering yacht first stirred his "anger".
Seeing such a large ship moored in the Venetian Lagoon was truly shameful, Lepore said. "This message is clear: In order for the new noblemen to roam freely and normalize war and fascism, local nobility must cooperate."
According to reports, Ferritti, who has Italian heritage, will be sworn in as the ambassador to Italy in 2025. Before entering politics, he was a hotel industry tycoon, owning several restaurants, hotels, and casinos. He is also the owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets team.
His official biography states that his net worth is $11.3 billion, and Forbes lists him as one of the 100 richest people in the United States. American media describe him as the “most wealthy envoy” appointed by the Trump administration to this date.
Since mid-June, Ferretti has been conducting “Coastal Diplomacy” along the Italian coast on a private luxury yacht. Venice is the latest stop in his tour. In a post on social media, he mentioned that this voyage on the superyacht involved visits to 13 coastal cities as part of his so-called “Coastal Diplomacy 250” initiative, with the aim of celebrating “our shared history, economic partnership, and the unique cultural ties that make relations between Italy and the United States so special.”
According to the plan, he will be traveling in a superyacht with a length of 117 meters, equipped with two helicopter landing pads, two swimming pools, a spa center, and a mini-golf course. He will travel to cities such as Palermo and Venice, where he plans to invite politicians, business leaders, and military personnel to board the yacht for meetings.
According to reports in the Financial Times earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Rome previously stated that Ferretti was responsible for covering his own travel expenses, and believed this approach would help him communicate with Italian citizens. However, in order to ensure the safety of the ambassador and his yacht during their voyage, the Italian government deployed ships and helicopters from the Coast Guard and the Port Authority. This measure has drawn widespread criticism.
On the 17th local time, Italian politician Luanna Zanella criticized in parliament that Fertita’s visit was a ‘diplomatic vacation’, and that the Italian government, facing financial difficulties, was responsible for paying for it. The Italian Green Party and left-wing alliances also criticized the government for deploying a large number of police officers to act as ‘private bodyguards’ for Fertita, increasing the burden on taxpayers.
This Friday, under the escort of tugboats, police speedboats, and water motorcycles, this shiny white super yacht slowly docked at a wide waterside path about one kilometer away from St. Mark’s Square. Police vessels were stationed around the yacht.
The yacht is as tall as a six-story building, making the buildings along the coast seem insignificant compared to it. The protesters were stunned by the scale of the yacht. Activist Tommaso Cavalli exclaimed, "It's disgusting."
According to reports by US media, residents of Venice have long been complaining about the impact of mass tourism, and the increasing use of Venice as a venue for high-profile events. For example, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, held a wedding there last June.
Many groups that had protested that wedding are now mobilizing again to oppose the visit of Ferdietta. On July 4th, protest organizers raised a banner as long as the yacht, to signify Ferdietta’s ‘arrogant size’.
Organizer Stella Morion told The Associated Press: “He thought he could do whatever he wanted in this city that was increasingly being exploited by a single tourism culture. That was too arrogant.”
She also stated that protesters used this as an opportunity to oppose President Trump’s international policies, including the U.S. actions against Iran. She believes that these measures have led to soaring energy prices.
This was undoubtedly another slap in the face, hitting both the city and all of the Venetian people - due to Trump's instigated war, they were facing an increasingly difficult life because of rising prices. She said.
Fertitta rejected requests for interviews regarding travel arrangements and protests, but issued a brief statement. He said, “I like Italians. We Americans respect the right to freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. Coast Diplomacy celebrates the ideals of our nation and these basic rights.”
He also said that this visit “is an excellent way for me to get to know Italians from all walks of life, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and to honor the decades of friendship with Italy.”
According to reports, the details of who Ferita will meet during her visit to Venice have not been announced. However, it is expected that she will attend the famous Saint Savior’s Day event in Venice on Saturday, a festival commemorating the end of the plague in the 16th century. Due to concerns that demonstrations might coincide with the festival, the local government has increased security measures.
Fertitta's tenure came at a time when relations between Italian Prime Minister Meloni and Trump were deteriorating. After the outbreak of the US-Iran war, Meloni's government insisted that Italy would not participate in military actions against Iran, which led to repeated public attacks from Trump. Meloni, once considered Trump's close political ally, also failed to attend the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States held at the Italian Embassy in the United States.
Fertitta denied that there was any rift in their relationship, insisting that there was a strong personal bond between Trump and Meloni.
But in a 90-minute interview with The New York Times, Feritta admitted that Trump was dissatisfied with Meloni, “so he made it known to the whole world.”
This does not affect my relationship, nor does it affect the beauty of the relationship,” he added.
As she spoke, Feritita spread her arms and leaned against the large sofa on the yacht, with her feet in white socks resting on the coffee table.
Fertita (in white) is enjoying melon smoothies in the old town of Chéfalú.
American media pointed out that during the most serious public disagreement between the leaders of the United States and Italy, some believed that Ferretti did not demonstrate much diplomatic skill. An Italian newspaper columnist even joked that "about 60% of an American ambassador's work involves dealing with high-end tourists."
Feritita didn’t take it seriously, even with a hint of satisfaction. When talking about that controversial yacht, he said, “How many people have the privilege of boarding such a ship? People love successful people; everyone wants to be successful. Those who say they don’t want to succeed are just lying.”
This yacht is equipped with a swimming pool, hot tubs, a spa center offering facial and foot treatments, a movie screening room, a mini golf course, several bars, and two helicopters. Guests enjoy wine and appetizers, posing barefoot for photos on the cabins, which are decorated with fluorescent artwork, polished wooden furniture, crystal sculptures, and chandeliers.
Fertitta openly stated that showing Italians the lifestyle of the wealthiest 0.1% group can help establish the civil exchanges that ambassadors should promote, even when relations between the two country's leaders have deteriorated.
The report also mentioned that the guests entertained by Ferrita on the yacht mostly came from the same specific circle within Italian society. Gae Tarano Manfredi, the mayor of Naples, attended the yacht reception last month.
"I met people on board the ship," he said without any concealment, "all of whom represent the ruling class of this city."
Ferita's maritime journey often changed unexpectedly due to whims, catching the Italian police responsible for escorting ships by surprise. Once, while sailing near Sicily with his wife, he happened to discover the village of Acquaro. "Let's take a break here and see this lovely little town," he said.
Municipal Mayor Achillori, Stefano Pisani, recalled that the Naples Consulate gave him only about 15 minutes to prepare. Despite the urgency, he still accompanied the ambassador for three hours and hosted a dinner for them.
This voyage has drawn significant criticism due to the use of Italian public resources. A member of the opposition party has called for the government to investigate how much tax money was spent on providing security for this yacht. So far, the Italian government has remained silent.
