Can citizens of Albania – population 2.4 million – push back against their own government and the Trump family? Albanians are accusing the US president’s son-in-law and his wife of capitalizing on their connections to build a luxury resort on protected coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Launching what activists have dubbed the Flamingo Revolution of 2026, the leaderless movement is trying to stop the couple’s bid to build a $4 billion luxury resort on the land – purchased by Qatari contacts of the Kushners.
From no-bid contracts and allegations of fraudulent sales of land, to the diplomatic row sparked over the manhandling of ethnic Greeks in the area, we ask about the situation and the prime minister’s promise that the project will propel Albania into the “Champions League” of tourist destinations.
In this David-versus-Goliath tale, the lines are becoming blurred between the personal business interests of the Trump family and the power of a sitting US president. US President Donald Trump has sent his son-in-law to mediate peace with Iran and Russia, pardoned his convicted real estate mogul father and appointed him ambassador to France. Why does the outrage seem stronger in Albania than in the United States or here in France, where French President Emmanuel Macron quietly welcomed four-term Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama just this week?
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Piera Rocco, Charles Wente.
