The day after the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, much of the global press seemed to echo Shakespeare: much ado about nothing. No dramatic announcement, no breakthrough peace deal. Anyone expecting a sudden ceasefire or a roadmap to peace was left disappointed.

But was it ever realistic to expect that? Diplomacy rarely moves at the speed of headlines. While journalism demands clarity, immediacy, and soundbites, geopolitics works in shadows, stages, and symbols.

The simple fact that Trump and Putin spoke face-to-face was already significant. Some commentators saw a symbolic win for Moscow – in the protocol, the posturing, the evasive answers. Others, particularly among Republican-leaning media, framed it as Trump’s victory: the host who forced the “Tsar” out of his bunker.

The truth is more nuanced. For Trump, it was a success: he managed to bring Putin into a diplomatic arena rather than a purely military one. For Putin, the strategy remains rigid. He buys time, refuses to concede on occupied territories, and leaves the path forward uncertain – to be played out in second and third rounds, including with Zelensky.

Yet one thing is clear: Putin cannot back away from this process without risking total isolation in a new global order and locking Russia into an unsustainable war economy. This alone makes the summit a turning point, however subtle.

There are still enormous knots to untie: rare earths in Donbass, Zelensky’s future, Ukraine’s status – buffer state, Russian satellite, or integrated into the EU and maybe even NATO. No single meeting could ever resolve this. The U.S. is in a hurry; Russia, which until yesterday was not, now feels the urgency too.

From a journalistic standpoint, the press conference fell flat: Putin’s silence – or arrogance – on key issues left little to headline. But these matters aren’t resolved in the language of political correctness or media cycles. They belong to the slow, opaque rhythm of international diplomacy.

And the ultimate goal, stripped of spin, remains the same: to stop people from dying and bring an end to the war. The sooner, the better. Otherwise, this “Alaskan Ferragosto” will remain nothing more than a good title for a film.

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Italian newspapers, especially Corriere della Sera, were keen to highlight in their political pages a story that could almost be dismissed as gossip or lighthearted news. Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump had a conversation. Not in a formal bilateral meeting, as one might expect, but on the sidelines of the splendid dinner hosted by Macron in Paris following the inauguration of the “new” Notre Dame.

The table was still set, the glasses of what was undoubtedly excellent wine still within reach, according to the reports. Nevertheless, both Trump’s and Meloni’s staff were eager to let the world know that the two leaders spoke. About what? Ukraine, the Middle East, relations with Europe. In short, about the world and its future.

Some claim Giorgia possesses a charisma and conviviality reminiscent of Berlusconi in his prime. Where diplomacy falls short, personal empathy bridges the gap. Is that a small thing? Others argue that she is poised to become the key European leader in negotiations with the new American president, putting Italy in a position of significant prestige—far from the “isolated Italy” narrative that opposition parties have been shouting about since June.

Of course, empathy and proficiency in direct communication with leaders are not enough on their own to navigate the complexities of global issues. But Meloni also has a solid political foundation: she is the only leader of the EU’s founding countries enjoying political stability and relative economic steadiness—certainly better off than France, shaken by a government crisis, and Germany, grappling with both a government crisis and the automotive industry’s struggles.

To round off this fruitful gathering at Notre Dame, our Prime Minister also squeezed in a casual meeting with Elon Musk. It has been a year since the eccentric entrepreneur attended Atreju, the annual and now almost Christmas-like festival of Fratelli d’Italia. At the time, it was dismissed as a quirky technological event. But today, those who talk to Musk are engaging with the main player in The Donald’s victory.

In short: empathy, English fluency, and foresight!

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And in the end, The Donald won. Forget suspense, days of counting, accusations of fraud, and the bureaucracy of democracy. He won clearly and immediately, all night long. He won in almost all the critical swing states; he took the super-contested and symbolic Pennsylvania, where both candidates had poured energy and money. Politically and definitively, Trump won—without ifs or buts. Harris and her Democratic supporters have been silenced. Trump, on the other hand, is speaking up, promising a new golden age for America.

As we speak, the entire troop of professional thinkers is already changing its tune, even in Italy. The tone has shifted from the possible triumph of the progressive illusion to the brutal calculation of its consequences, both economically and in foreign policy. The paranoia and complaints from the politically correct crowd are already starting. Meanwhile, European chancelleries are revisiting alliances and using more measured language—no longer labeling Trump as a narcissistic, arrogant, crazy billionaire. This man, twice now, has tapped into the deep soul of the United States, which isn’t found in the refined living rooms of central Rome and Milan, nor in the elite circles of the East Coast metropolises or the glittering, thorny Hollywood hills.

Elon Musk, with his wealth and vision, had more influence on public perception by constantly calling him a fascist—him, Trump, and strangely enough, Meloni as well. They are here to govern, and for a long time. People, both in America and here, have simple needs, especially economic ones. They don’t want a third world war or unrestrained immigration that overwhelms every sense of identity.

However it goes, Trump is heading to the White House, and the scriptwriters at Netflix may need to rewrite their plots.

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With Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States, reactions from Italian political leaders quickly followed. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was one of the first to congratulate Trump, emphasizing the longstanding ties between Italy and the United States, which she called “sister nations” united by an unbreakable alliance and shared values. In her social media message, Meloni reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening this strategic relationship, wishing the president-elect success in his new term.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also welcomed Trump’s victory, noting his longstanding support for the former president. In an interview with RTL 102.5, Salvini underscored the importance of Trump’s leadership for a possible new international balance, expressing hope that this could lead to peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine. Salvini also praised Trump’s focus on patriotism, border control, and freedom of speech, values that the deputy prime minister sees as essential.

From the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani took a measured approach to Trump’s victory, highlighting Italy’s desire to maintain strong transatlantic relations. Speaking to Sky, Tajani stated that the Italian government’s priority remains the reinforcement of ties with the United States, which it considers its primary foreign policy partner. Tajani added that the government would be prepared to discuss issues like NATO and European defense to ensure that Italy continues to be a pillar of international security.

On the opposition side, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte welcomed the news with a congratulatory message to the president-elect, while urging reflection on the global challenges that await the U.S. and the world. Conte emphasized the need to halt conflicts and build a new world order based on shared rules, advocating for a more courageous and proactive Europe. Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Europe should “wake up” in the face of this new reality.

Meanwhile, Riccardo Magi, leader of the More Europe party, expressed concerns about a second Trump presidency. Magi voiced doubts about the impact of Trump’s administration on civil rights, minority protections, and the environment, warning that Europe risks being left alone to confront global challenges, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the climate crisis.

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Donald J. Trump secured a decidive victory in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state that was among the seven key swing states that ultimately determined the outcome of the 2024 presidential race. This win, combined with previous successes in Georgia and North Carolina, significantly bolstered Trump’s path to a return to the White House, effectively overturning the 2020 election result. The victory also shattered Kamala Harris’s so-called “blue wall” in the Great Lakes region, diminishing her hopes of becoming the first female U.S. president.

In a bold move, Trump declared himself the victor before final results were announced, addressing his supporters from Palm Beach, where he presented himself as the “elected president.” Accompanied by his wife Melania, their son Barron, and daughters from previous marriages, Trump entered the stage with an air of triumph. In his speech, he promised to end wars rather than start new ones and thanked his supporters for their role in making the campaign historic.

Meanwhile, Republicans gained further ground in the Senate, with key wins like Bernie Moreno’s defeat of Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio and the replacement of independent Senator Joe Manchin by Republican Governor Jim Justice in West Virginia. These victories strengthened the GOP’s control, signaling a shift in the nation’s political landscape. However, the election was not without incident, as bomb threats targeted several polling stations in Democratic-leaning areas in Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan. Though no injuries occurred, some polling stations extended their hours to accommodate voters.

In New York, which represents 28 electoral votes, Democrats claimed victory with around 55% of the vote. Despite setbacks in the Senate, the Democratic Party celebrated significant milestones, including the election of two African American women, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks, to the Senate. Additionally, Sarah McBride made history as the first transgender person elected to the House of Representatives, marking a moment of progress for the party.

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