By Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, CNN
(CNN) – A political appointee closely connected to the Trump family has been dismissed from his role as a special envoy after reports surfaced about a clash with a senior State Department official.
Paolo Zampolli, who held the position of US special envoy for global partnerships, “was notified today that his status as an envoy has been terminated and he is no longer a government employee,” a US official said Thursday. Two other officials confirmed his removal.
The announcement of his termination came just hours after a Politico report highlighted an ongoing dispute between Zampolli and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The report indicated that their disagreements occurred over email on various topics, especially concerning chain of command, and included personal insults.
Zampolli marks the second diplomat from the Trump administration with personal connections to President Donald Trump to be let go recently, following Kimberly Guilfoyle’s forced resignation from her post as US ambassador to Greece.
Zampolli, a businessman and former modeling agent, previously represented Melania Trump. He hosted a party in 1998 where he claims he introduced Melania Trump to her future husband.
In a statement on Thursday, Zampolli pointed out that his role as special envoy was initially meant to last for one year but had already been extended by Trump for an additional six months.
“Years ago, (Trump) told me I was too good for modeling and brought me into real estate,” he said. “Now he told me: ‘Why do you want to work in government when you can close all these deals?’”
“The President is always right,” Zampolli stated, adding that “serving him and the United States has been the greatest honor of my life.”
“I am deeply grateful to President Trump, Vice President (JD) Vance, Secretary (Marco) Rubio and the entire team,” he expressed. “Now it is time for the next chapter – back to business, building relationships and closing deals.”
“President Trump changed my life once. He just did it again,” Zampolli remarked.
Trump announced Zampolli’s appointment as special envoy for global partnerships in March 2025.
“With his extensive experience working with the United Nations, the Kennedy Center, and various International initiatives, Paolo will help us advance America’s Interests on the Global stage,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at that time.
Zampolli served on the Board of the Kennedy Center during Trump’s first term and also acted as an ambassador to the UN for Dominica.
He highlighted securing business agreements for the administration while serving in his role as special envoy.
Earlier this year he faced backlash related to World Cup comments when he suggested Italy-his birthplace-might replace Iran. He told CNN then that he believed Iran was stepping back amid its conflict with the US. Italy had not qualified for this year’s tournament.
“A World Cup without Messi is not a World Cup,” Zampolli stated. “Italy has the same merits after winning four times the World Cup.”
The-CNN-Wire
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