Italian and international media brimmed with images of the smiling and charming Obama along with the angry-looking Donald Trump and embarrassing footage showing how his wife, Melania, refused to take his hand several times. They were greeted like rock stars in Italy, where the family went for a vacation at the same time when Donald Trump arrived to Rome for an official visit.
In the beginning, after leaving the White House, Barack Obama and his wife Michelle disappeared from sight, but not very long after that they announced the establishment of a foundation, whose main task is to promote citizen participation in building of democracy. It is therefore a remarkable coincidence that his visit to Europe comes at the exact time of his predecessor, Barack Obama's return to public life. One could not help being left with the impression that Mr Trump obviously feels better in the company of dictators than among the democratic and liberal elite. The brightest examples of it were the dismissal of his national security adviser Michael Flynn over unsanctioned connections to Russia, his war against media who criticise him, the dismissal of the alias attorney general, and last but not least, the dismissal of the boss of the FBI because of an investigation of alleged ties between the White House administration and the Kremlin. His illiberal domestic approach from his very first day in office bred some serious concerns in the EU.
His visit to Europe was anticipated with special interest and attention. American President Donald Trump's first international tour made a lot of headlines.