Who is Paolo Zampolli, the US special envoy who proposes Italy to the World Cup instead of Iran

The name ofPaolo ZampolliMilanese transplanted toNew Yorkis unknown to most, but has suddenly hit the headlines for having proposed replacing Iran with Italy in the nextfootball world cupfrom which the Italian national team was excluded after the sensational defeat in the play-offs against Bosnia. Over the years, Zampolli has built its influence at the crossroads betweenmoda, real estate, international relations e Trumpism.

Former modeling agent, today he is aspecial envoy of the Trump administration: Reuters identifies it as “US special envoy” and the Financial Times cites it in these hours for the ‘repeach’ proposal made to Trump and FIFA. His public biography begins in New York in the 1990s. A New York Times profile describes him as the man who broughtMelania Knaussin the United States, obtained her visa and introduced her toDonald Trumpat a 1998 party at the Kit Kat Club. But he also describes him as a tireless relationship builder, capable of moving with ease between Trump’s circle, Bill Clinton’s and New York high society.

The Melania Trump visa affair

According to the Associated Press, he was also at the center of the complicated affair ofvisa of Melania Trump. In 2016 Zampolli declared that he personally oversaw the obtaining of the future H-1Bfirst ladyclaiming he had not done paid work before obtaining the permit. His name resurfaces when he confirms the authenticity of the contractual documentation of the former Slovenian model, although he says he cannot remember whether she had worked without authorization in the weeks preceding the granting of the visa.

The diplomatic turning point and environmental commitment

Then thediplomatic turning point: in 2017 it isDominica’s ambassador to the UN“by appointment and not by nationality”, already active also on the dossier of theoceans e della sustainability. Businessman, socialite, promoter ofenvironmental causesand, above all, a long-time friend of Trump with access to places of power, the most striking trait, however, is the method.

The Zampolli method: transactional diplomacy

According to the Financial Times, Zampolli has become one of ‘facilitators‘ della Trumpian transactional diplomacyso much so that its name is linked to the slogan “20 billion in 20 minutes“, a formula that summarizes his idea ofquick mediationbetween political leaders, large companies and strategic interests. Reuters places him precisely within this informal but influential network that gravitates around the American president with the profile of aatypical mediatora transformative relationship facilitatorpersonal contacts, worldliness e political accessin a lever of power, a lateral but recurring figure in the stories they connectbusiness, image e international politics.