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Posted on 08/31/2026 2:27:07 PM PDT by DFG
Theodore Roosevelt was famous for gunboat diplomacy.
But Donald Trump's ambassador to Italy has found a rather more luxurious way to win friends: love boat diplomacy.
Billionaire entertainment mogul Tilman Fertitta, 69, is wooing foreign officials from the deck of his $450 million mega yacht, the Boardwalk, as he cruises around Italy on a two-and-a-half-month 'Coastal Diplomatic Tour.'
The 383ft vessel boasts two helipads, two swimming pools, four hot tubs, a fully equipped spa, scuba room, putting green and cinema, with business tycoons and sports personalities rubbing shoulders with government officials at lavish receptions.
Fertitta, the world's 312th-richest person according to Forbes, is also joined on board by his wife Lauren Ware Fertitta and their five-year-old daughter, Elle.
CNN, which toured the yacht, found deckhands polishing chrome railings and pillows being plumped before guests arrived, while Fertitta showed off the floating mansion's family kitchen and its stocked fridge.
The cruise comes at Fertitta's own expense - apart from security provided by the Italian government. He estimates the coastal tour will cost him about $1 million, with the voyage also serving as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary and a way to avoid renovations at his official residence in Rome.
But for some Italians, the billionaire's floating summer of excess is beginning to feel less like Roman Holiday and more like the last days of Rome.
Fertitta's extravagance has sparked protests and prompted questions about the cost to Italy. The Boardwalk was greeted by demonstrators when it docked in Venice last month, with chants of 'No space for billionaires' and 'Venice is not the United States.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.com ...
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And he didnt make his pile swindling seniors into investing in Madoff-type hedge funds.
Well, if he started work peeling shrimp, I’d say he earned. Try reading the article.
CNN, which toured the yacht.
The wankers at the DM weren’t invited to any of parties.
Fertita is a prominent political donor who supports candidates in both parties,
though the vast majority of his financial contributions go to conservative Republicans.
His political activities and ties include Donald Trump: Fertitta is a major supporter, having donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Trump’s presidential campaigns and political action committees.
Trump appointed Fertitta to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy.
Fertita has given substantial financial backing to Texas politicians who champion
pro-life legislation, notably donating over $1.1 million to Governor Greg Abbott.
He also occasionally donates to Democrats.
Because Fertitta focuses his public persona entirely on business, hospitality, and sports,
he has historically avoided taking definitive public stances on social issues like abortion.
“It’s his boat and he can do what he wants to.”
Absolutely true. However, the optics plus the MSM’s spin put the guy and Trump in a bad light. Trump won’t be in office much longer, maybe the Ambassador could tone it down a bit for a few months. (Not SHOULD — because he’s not doing anything technically wrong — but COULD.)
Its his boat and he’s paying for it out of his own pocket. What’s the complaint exactly?
Isn’t that what Ambassadors? Rub elbows with the rich and powerful in the country they are assigned?
BFD… who cares?
Wow, nice! I’ve been to a few Ambassador-hosted Embassy parties and that would be one I would definitely remember.
Exactly
I know a lot about it. His family was (or is) big time mob from where I am from.
I only know what I read in the article.
Sweet.
It’s good work if one can get it.
It sounds like a 2 week tour.
And the media will always criticize Trump and his administration. This is not new.
If he owns it then what is the problem?
Excellent question.
Too much is never enough.
Yep
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