Paolo Zampolli: The Man Behind Trump's Global Deal-Making Machine
In the Trump administration, where loyalty and tangible results often overshadow formal processes, Paolo Zampolli has carved out a unique niche as a parallel diplomat. His approach is informal, driven by personality, and singularly focused on securing lucrative deals. With a catchy motto of "US$20 billion in 20 minutes," Zampolli jets between European and Middle Eastern capitals, sometimes alongside top U.S. officials, other times mingling with catwalk models, all while providing access to President Donald Trump and his administration—for a price.
From Socialite to Special Envoy
Zampolli's evolution from a New York socialite and former modeling agent to a globetrotting Trump envoy offers a revealing glimpse into how the U.S. president exercises transactional power. In this system, loyalists like Zampolli serve as intermediaries, where access, relationships, and deals frequently blur into one another. He proudly states, "My number-one boss is the president of America," adding that he receives instructions from the White House, Commerce Department, and the Department of War to advance the "America First" agenda.
Recently, in his official capacity as a U.S. special envoy, Zampolli accompanied Vice-President JD Vance to Hungary, where he facilitated a deal to sell nuclear energy. Just a few months earlier, he was in Uzbekistan promoting Boeing planes, claiming, "I've actually become Boeing's number-two salesperson in the world, right after the president... unpaid, but it's true." While Boeing has not confirmed this characterization, it epitomizes Zampolli's blend of pride and theatrical flair, capturing an archetype for an era of outrageous moneymaking.
Scrutiny and Controversy
Zampolli's proximity to power has not gone unnoticed. The New York Times recently reported that he sought assistance from U.S. immigration authorities in a dispute with his former partner, Amanda Ungaro, a Brazilian national who was ultimately deported. The report suggests Zampolli may have leveraged his White House connections to target Ungaro, with whom he is embroiled in a custody battle over their son. Zampolli has dismissed these allegations as inaccurate and politically motivated, insisting he merely sought clarity on the case without requesting any favors.
Despite this controversy, Zampolli's ability to build a business model around facilitating deals for Trump's America remains largely unscathed. He continues to operate in a realm where informal diplomacy and high-stakes negotiations converge, often bypassing traditional bureaucratic channels.
The Art of the Deal in Action
Zampolli's approach was vividly demonstrated during his trip to Uzbekistan. When officials initially proposed a US$4 billion Boeing order, he pushed back dramatically, stating, "I said: 'Are you crazy? I'm not calling my boss for a measly US$6 billion... I want US$50 billion.'" According to Zampolli, within hours, the two sides reached an agreement at US$20 billion, leading him to repeat his signature phrase, "US$20 billion in 20 minutes," in his thick Italian accent. He added, "I've worked on many more... small ones that I feel embarrassed to mention because they're less than a billion."
However, the reality differs slightly from his claims. In September, Trump announced that Uzbekistan Airways had agreed to purchase 22 planes for over US$8 billion, with an option to buy more. Later, Trump stated that Uzbekistan would invest "over US$100 Billion Dollars" in American industry, highlighting the complex and often exaggerated nature of these international negotiations.
Zampolli's role underscores a broader trend in the Trump administration, where deal-making and personal connections often take precedence over formal diplomacy. As he continues to navigate this landscape, his story serves as a testament to the blurred lines between public service and private gain in modern political ecosystems.
