Protests Erupt Over Ambassador’s Luxury Yacht Arrival
Several hundred protesters marched in Venice on Friday against the arrival of billionaire U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta’s luxury yacht, clashing with riot police as they approached the vessel. Activists described the event as an unwelcome display of American wealth and influence amid growing criticism of the Trump administration’s policies. Protesters carried inflatable water toys and beach balls, holding signs reading Venezia non si USA
— a play on words meaning Venice is not to be used,
with the acronym USA capitalized. When demonstrators reached a line of police blocking access to the yacht, officers pushed back with shields, causing temporary escalation. After the clash, protesters shouted “Shame!” at Fertitta, the mayor, and police.
Coastal Diplomacy Tour Marks 250 Years of U.S.-Italy Ties
Fertitta’s arrival in Venice was part of the Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy
tour, a 13-region journey across Italian coasts aboard his 117-meter (384-foot) superyacht, the Boardwalk. The tour aims to celebrate our shared history, our economic partnership, and the cultural bonds that make the U.S.-Italy relationship so special,
according to Fertitta’s social media post. The yacht, valued at an estimated $450 million, features two helipads, swimming pools, and a spa. Fertitta, who was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Italy in 2025, has not disclosed details of his meetings in Venice but is expected to attend the Festa del Redentore festival on Saturday, which includes fireworks over St. Mark’s Basin. The tour has already included stops in Sicily, Calabria, and Puglia.
Billionaire Ambassador’s Background and Wealth Spark Criticism
Fertitta, a hospitality mogul and owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, built his $11.3 billion net worth through restaurants, hotels, and casinos. He has no prior political experience but has long supported Republican causes, including donations to President Donald Trump’s Save America PAC. His appointment as U.S. ambassador to Italy was part of a pattern of Trump selecting donors and allies for European posts. Protesters in Venice criticized both his wealth and his ties to Trump, with organizer Stella Morion calling the yacht’s presence “arrogant” and linking it to rising prices in the city caused by Trump’s policies, including U.S. strikes on Iran. Demonstrators also targeted the extensive Italian police presence, with left-wing politicians condemning the diversion of resources to protect the ambassador’s vessel.
Protesters Condemn Trump’s Policies and U.S. Influence
The protests in Venice echoed earlier demonstrations against high-profile wealth, including the 2023 wedding of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The demonstrators’ signs included Make America Read Again
and Oligarch in saor,
a reference to a Venetian dish. Protesters also criticized the Trump administration’s impact on global stability, with Morion stating the yacht’s arrival was the umpteenth slap in the face
to Venetians struggling with inflation. Fertitta declined a direct interview but issued a statement emphasizing his support for free speech and the tour’s focus on fundamental rights.
Broader Tensions in U.S.-Italy Relations
Fertitta’s tour coincided with a cooling in U.S.-Italy relations, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once seen as a Trump ally, has distanced herself from the U.S. president. Meloni did not attend 250th-anniversary celebrations at the U.S. Embassy, reflecting broader diplomatic strains. The ambassador’s presence in Venice has further highlighted divisions between American and Italian perspectives on wealth, security, and international policy. As the tour continues, the protests underscore ongoing debates over the role of private wealth in diplomacy and the legacy of Trump-era foreign policy.
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