Reported by Alvise Armellini in ROME (Reuters) – A controversial incident has emerged involving Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is alleged to have violated Italian and European Union laws pertaining to environmental protection. The accusations stem from his participation in a duck hunting expedition near Venice in December, as stated by two Italian Green party lawmakers, Andrea Zanoni and Luana Zanella.
Driven by their concerns, Zanoni, a member of the Veneto regional assembly, and Zanella, a national parliamentarian, have taken the initiative to raise the issue through two separate parliamentary inquiries. They are urging both regional and national authorities to investigate and take necessary actions in response to the purported transgression.
Zanoni highlighted the alleged offense in a Facebook post, claiming to have seen video footage showing Trump Jr. engaging in hunting activities within a designated “Natura 2000” conservation zone in the Venice lagoon. The video depicts Trump Jr. standing near a deceased ruddy shelduck, a species that is safeguarded under the EU Birds Directive and Italian laws safeguarding wild fauna. Zanoni emphasized the severity of such actions, asserting that the killing or possession of this protected species is a punishable offense under the law.
While hunting is a legal activity in Italy, it is subject to stringent regulations. In the approximately 6-minute video referenced by Zanoni, Trump Jr. is seen participating in a duck hunting excursion in marshlands near Venice, a trip that was promoted by Field Ethos, an outdoor activities brand co-founded by him. Trump Jr. can be heard in the video expressing his satisfaction with the hunting spoils, including wigeon and teal ducks, as well as an unfamiliar species that he encountered during the expedition. The video also highlights the presence of the ruddy shelduck, the protected species at the center of the controversy.
Efforts to obtain comments from Field Ethos and Trump Jr. regarding the allegations were made by Reuters, but no immediate responses were received. The video narration by Field Ethos states that the hunting expedition took place on private land, with hunting activities limited to once a week and precautions taken to ensure the preservation of the local environment.
While the specific date of the video in question remains undisclosed, a shortened version was shared by Field Ethos on YouTube on December 31, 2024. Reports from Italian media suggest that Trump Jr. was in Venice during the month of December, accompanied by his girlfriend.
In response to the growing scrutiny, Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin expressed readiness to await a comprehensive report on the alleged incident, following his awareness of the situation through media reports as conveyed by the ANSA news agency.
(Report by Alvise Armellini, with additional contributions from Angelo Amante and Giulia Segreti; Edited by Alison Williams)
