Trump Confidant Denies Involvement in Ex’s Alleged Deportation Attempt via ICE
Paolo Zampolli has denied asking U.S. officials to detain his former partner. His Brazilian ex-girlfriend, Amanda Ungaro, was arrested in Miami last year.
Alleged contacts with ICE officials
Filmogaz.com reported that Zampolli allegedly called David Venturella. Venturella is a senior ICE official who oversees detention centers.
The reporting also says Zampolli contacted Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski is a longtime Trump ally now advising Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Custody fight and outcome
Zampolli and Ungaro were involved in a legal dispute over custody of their teenage son. Ungaro was moved into ICE custody and deported shortly after the alleged contact, according to Filmogaz.com.
It remains unclear whether the alleged calls produced any direct intervention. Homeland Security has called suggestions of political motives false.
Responses and denials
Zampolli denies requesting ICE action or seeking favors from the administration. The spokesman for Homeland Security said any suggestion that she was arrested and removed for political reasons is “FALSE.”
The episode prompted a Trump confidant to deny any role in an ex’s alleged deportation attempt carried out via ICE. Melania Trump’s spokesperson said the former first lady had no knowledge or involvement in the personal affairs of Zampolli and Ungaro.
Background and public profile
Zampolli began as a modeling agent and later took on diplomatic roles. He has long highlighted his ties to Donald Trump on social media.
He introduced Mr. Trump to Melania in Manhattan in 1998 after discovering her in Milan. He also sponsored her H-1B visa at that time.
Connections and appointments
Zampolli’s name appears in Department of Justice documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein described him as “trouble” in a 2011 email, records show.
Zampolli rejected a close relationship with Epstein in interviews. He has received political appointments, including as a U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships last year and a Kennedy Center trusteeship in 2020.
In his recent role he defended Russia’s reentry into global sports competitions. He also brought a small Charging Bull sculpture to the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.
Wider questions about influence
The case is one of several that raised concerns about political connections and immigration enforcement. Another incident involved Bruna Ferreira, arrested in November and held in ICE detention nearly a month.
Ferreira is the mother of the nephew of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. That arrest also prompted scrutiny about whether people with ties to officials sought ICE involvement in family matters.
