The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) hosted its 49th annual gala dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, bringing together notable Italian American politicians and personalities for a night of celebration and recognition.
The evening’s festivities kicked off with a video message from former President Donald Trump, who expressed his admiration for Italian Americans and encouraged them to “get out and vote” in the upcoming election. Trump’s message was met with applause from the audience, which included former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, one of this year’s gala honorees.
Trump’s comments were brief but heartfelt, as he praised the Italian people and acknowledged the strong bond between the two nations. He also referenced the election, stating that his campaign was “doing unbelievably well” and that he was confident about their chances.
The NIAF also honored President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden with a video clip from a White House reception earlier this month, where they celebrated Italian American Heritage Month. In the clip, the first lady shared a heartfelt message about the values of Italian American culture, emphasizing the importance of family, community, and hospitality.
The gala dinner was attended by a range of notable figures, including comedian Joe Piscopo and journalist Maria Bartiromo, who served as hosts for the evening. The event was hosted by NIAF, a non-profit organization that has been celebrating and promoting Italian American culture for over 45 years.
As part of the evening’s program, a panel discussion was held earlier in the day, featuring former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) as panelists. The discussion was moderated by NIAF and provided a platform for the speakers to share their insights and perspectives on a range of topics.
