Independence Day, politics at Villa Taverna: Meloni’s future remains uncertain following her falling-out with Trump
Meloni is not currently expected to attend, as she will be in Padua this afternoon for the UIL congress
It is the day of the Independence Day reception, hosted by Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta at Villa Taverna in Rome. An event which, this year – partly due to the recent clash between Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump – is attracting more attention than usual. Starting with who will be there and who won’t.
Those present
The event will be attended by the deputy prime ministers from the Lega and Forza Italia, Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani; the leaders of Italia Viva and Noi Moderati, Matteo Renzi and Maurizio Lupi; and delegations from the PD and the M5S. Inevitably, the spotlight will be on whether or not Meloni attends; she will be in Padua this afternoon for the UIL congress and, as things stand, is not expected to attend the event at Villa Taverna.
In any case, the government will be represented: a number of senior ministers are expected to attend (including Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Tajani is due to give a speech), alongside the Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, Alfredo Mantovano.
Messages of détente
The message that emerges is one of détente: setting aside Trump’s remarks and any disagreements that may exist between allies, Rome continues to regard transatlantic relations as fundamental. “Our exports have grown by 7.2 per cent in the US market (in 2025, ed.),” Minister Adolfo Urso pointed out on the eve of the event (in which he will be taking part).
The Absentees
The leaders of the broad coalition, however, will be staying away. Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli of AVS will not be attending; PD secretary Elly Schlein will not be making an appearance (as was the case last year); Giuseppe Conte will be absent (unlike last year) due to prior commitments (he is due to present his book in Naples).
