It is Paolo Angelo Zampolli, a true Milanese entrepreneur transplanted to the States, who has been chosen by Trump as special envoy to Italy. What will Zampolli's role be, having been appointed with ambassador-level rank?

He is not yet able to clarify, but he states, "It’s a clear indication of the importance of Italy to the president and his desire to establish a privileged relationship with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni," adding, "I can contribute especially in three areas: economic relations, geopolitics, and the issue of tariffs, which must be addressed in a way that finds a satisfactory solution for all." 

Always present at any party or banquet organized by U.S. President Donald Trump, who refers to him as "My Paolo." He even claims—at least according to him—that he was the one who arranged the meeting between the tycoon and Slovenian model Melania Knauss at one of those events, who is now Mrs. Trump and the second First Lady of the United States.

Born in Milan on March 5, 1970, Paolo Zampolli's career began in New York in the fashion world: in the mid-1990s, he founded the agency ID Models, which brought him to prominence and caught Donald Trump’s attention. Soon after, his transition to the tycoon’s real estate empire was formalized, with the role of Director of International Development. He was the one behind the company’s expansion into Europe, in addition to being a great party companion of Trump.

Since 2013, Zampolli has been the ambassador for the Permanent Mission of the Caribbean island of Dominica to the UN. He works alongside his wife, Amanda Ungaro, who has held the same role for Grenada since 2014. A strong supporter of the battle against climate change and the promotion of renewable energy, he has organized numerous initiatives on behalf of the United Nations, partly thanks to his position as executive director of the International Renewable Energy Organization, an intergovernmental organization that collaborates with the UN.

Another great passion of Paolo Zampolli is sports. Since January 2021, along with prominent figures in the U.S. such as football coach Bill Belichick and former baseball star Johnny Damon, he has been a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. In this role, he works to promote youth participation in sports, encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.

Italy will thus have an American ambassador to reside in the country, Tilman Fertitta, a donor to Trump’s campaign, and a special envoy ambassador, his personal friend. A less institutional figure, who will develop specific missions.