As Donald Trump attends the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, his son, Donald Trump Jr., begins a mini-tour through Southeast Europe, focusing on the business side of the Trump family empire, according to Blumberg.
While Trump Jr. does not hold an official position in the U.S. administration, his private visit is aimed at identifying business opportunities in the region. His itinerary, which includes stops in Hungary, Romania, and Serbia, is politically charged, as all three destinations have been associated with right-wing and pro-Russian figures.
In Hungary, Trump Jr. will meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a staunch ally of the MAGA movement, while in Romania, political tensions remain high after controversial presidential elections. Trump Jr.’s visit to Serbia follows his recent meeting with President Aleksandar Vučić, a leader with strong pro-Russian leanings. Furthermore, his visit aligns with the Trump Organization’s plans for a luxury hotel project in Belgrade, led by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.
Blumberg notes that Trump Jr.’s trip, named “Trump’s Business Vision 2025,” aims to expand the family business while navigating the region’s political challenges, including ongoing protests in Serbia and political instability in Bulgaria. His meetings will mostly involve right-wing political figures and business leaders, with private events planned in Hungary and Bulgaria.
The timing of his visit comes during a period of heightened political pressure in Serbia, where President Vučić is facing months of street protests and is lobbying against potential sanctions on NIS, Serbia’s state-owned oil company, which is controlled by Russia’s Gazprom.
