Venice recently became the site of a tense standoff as United States Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in the city aboard his massive 117-meter yacht, the Boardwalk.
His arrival coincided with the city’s historic Redentore festival, sparking immediate backlash from hundreds of protesters and residents who had reportedly gathered to voice their disapproval of both the billionaire diplomat and the current US administration.
According to CNN, the situation escalated on Friday evening when approximately 300 demonstrators clashed with riot police. The scene was characterized by shoving and the use of shields as authorities worked to keep the crowd away from the vessel, which was moored in St. Mark’s Basin.
The Associated Press noted that the protesters, who marched with inflatable pool toys and beach balls, were met with a heavy police presence. Many of the demonstrators carried signs with messages like “Venezia non si USA,” a clever play on words implying that Venice is not to be used by the United States.
The image of the yacht in the Basin rubbed locals the wrong way
Per CNN, The Boardwalk is a behemoth, standing six stories tall and featuring two helipads, two swimming pools, and a fully equipped spa and gym. For many residents, seeing such a massive symbol of wealth docked in their historic lagoon felt like a direct affront to the city’s character. AP News reported that activist Tommaso Cacciari described the situation, saying, “It’s gross.”
Another protester, Emanuele Lepore, echoed this sentiment to AP, telling reporters that the vessel’s presence provoked “first and foremost rage” given the city’s ongoing struggles with over-tourism and the previous, hard-fought campaign to keep large cruise ships out of the Giudecca Canal. However, the locals also take issue with the timing of the visit.
CNN noted that the Redentore festival is a significant annual event that commemorates the end of the 1576 plague outbreak, usually celebrated by thousands of people on boats and canals. Additionally, the yacht is docked right in front of the prime fireworks viewing area, where the residents bring their boats.
Thus, many Venetians reportedly feel that the ambassador’s presence was an unnecessary intrusion. Daniele Giordano, a representative from the CGIL union, labeled the arrival “a disgrace,” arguing that the yacht represents the exact opposite of what the city stands for in terms of social and environmental sustainability.
Ambassador Fertitta, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at over $11 billion, has framed this journey as a “coastal diplomacy” tour intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. AP News reported that he has been traveling to 13 different ports along the Italian coast, meeting with local business leaders and celebrities along the way.
He has reportedly stated that he is covering the yacht’s expenses personally. However, the outlet wrote that in reality, the situation involves significant resources from Italian taxpayers to ensure the security of the vessel and its entourage.
When asked about the demonstrations, Fertitta issued a statement, noting, “I like Italians, we Americans respect freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest; Coastal Diplomacy celebrates our nation’s founding and these fundamental rights.” Per AP, he mentioned that the tour has been “an amazing way for me to meet Italians from all walks of life.”
The political backdrop here is equally complicated. Recently, the relationship between President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hit a setback. After statements by Trump saying she begged for photos at the G7 conference, she vehemently denied the claim on social media. This tension was underscored by the fact that Meloni did not attend the 250th-anniversary celebrations held at the US Embassy.
Political analyst Giovanni Orsina from Luiss University told AP that Fertitta’s tour was novel. “Certainly an ambassador using his own resources and his own yacht to make this kind of traveling diplomacy as far as I know is pretty unusual. It can be perceived negatively, on the one hand, but it also can be taken as a sign of attention toward the country,″ he said
For the organizers in Venice, this protest was a continuation of efforts from the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Stella Morion, one of the organizers, emphasized that the frustration goes beyond just the yacht itself.
She pointed to a broader dissatisfaction with the economic pressures facing the city. Morion specifically cited the impact of international policies on energy prices. She told AP News, “It is the umpteenth slap in the face of a city and all of the people in Venice who struggle to reach the end of the month due to an increase in prices caused by Trump’s war.”
Published: Jul 20, 2026 08:42 am