The yacht “Boardwalk” of the American ambassador to Italy, Tilam Fertitta. He made a billion-dollar fortune as a businessman. (archive image)Image: www.imago-images.de
Tilman Fertitta wants to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA in the lagoon city. But there is resistance to his visit.
June 28, 2026, 11:09June 28, 2026, 3:32 p.m
Thomas Wanhoff / t-online
There is a protest in Venice against a visit by the American ambassador. Because Tilman Fertitta, who owes his position in Rome to US President Donald Trump, wants to travel with his $450 million superyacht.
The five-story luxury ship “Boardwalk” is scheduled to dock at a festival in the lagoon city in July. Since the lavish wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also arrived by yacht, there has been a movement in Venice against private luxury ships in the city.
US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta on his yacht. There are protests against a visit in Venice. (archive image)Image: www.imago-images.de
Protests already against Bezos’ wedding
Ferrita wanted to carry out the visit as part of a diplomatic initiative to bring the 250th anniversary of the United States to Italians. His “Freedom 250 Tour” began on June 13th in Civitavecchia and, in addition to Venice, includes stops in Naples, Genoa, Palermo and Cefalù.
But now he has to expect disruptions. At Bezos’ wedding, activists threatened to throw inflatable crocodiles into the water, forcing organizers to postpone the reception. This action could be repeated, an activist is said to have suggested at the preparatory meeting on Saturday.
“Last year we screwed up the wedding reception of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos – this year we are screwing up the ambassador’s tour!” said Stella Faye, a 28-year-old researcher and activist, on Thursday at a meeting of about 40 demonstrators, reports The Guardian.
Does the yacht block the view of the fireworks?
The activists fear that Fertitta is planning to dock in the historic center of Venice on the occasion of the “Festa del Redentore” – one of the city’s most important traditions and probably its largest festival. Part of the celebrations include fireworks, which can be viewed from a makeshift floating bridge that is set up every year. The protesters’ concern: His 32 meter high and 117 meter long yacht could obscure the view of some visitors.
According to the Venice Port Authority website, which handles yacht mooring requests, the main moorings for a boat of this size are in front of the Punta della Dogana – opposite the Redentore church – or at the Riva dei Sette Martiri, a popular viewing point for locals.
Traditionally in Venice there is a big fireworks display for the “Festa del Redentore”. (archive image)Image: www.imago-images.de
Relations between the USA and Italy are tense
“If the city were to allow this yacht to enter Venice, it would be a slap in the face to Venetians,” said Giulia Cacopardo, a 29-year-old activist and cultural coordinator, according to the Guardian. “In a city where the quality of life is at rock bottom because there are no housing options and few jobs, there are billionaires who believe they can do whatever they want. This shows the arrogance of money – coming to a celebration for citizens you probably don’t know anything about.”
For Ambassador Fertitta, whose fortune is estimated at 12 billion dollars (9.7 billion francs) and who, among other things, owns the NBA team Houston Rockets, the protest comes at an inopportune time. Because relations between Italy and the USA are tense.
First, Donald Trump criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni because she denied US aircraft landing rights in the Iran war. He then claimed that she begged him for a selfie, which the Italian woman vehemently denied. “Neither I nor Italy will ever beg,” she said. Fertitta tried to downplay the scandal and said in an interview on Italian television on Wednesday that both heads of government were pulling in the same direction.