Donald Trump Jr. is charged with unlawful duck hunting close to Venice

Two Italian Green party MPs claim that Donald Trump Jr., the oldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, violated environmental protection regulations in Italy and the European Union in December when he hunted ducks close to Venice.

In two different parliamentary questions, national lawmaker Luana Zanella and Veneto regional assembly member Andrea Zanoni have called on regional and national authorities to act against the alleged offense.

Zanoni claimed to have seen video showing Trump Jr. hunting in the Venice lagoon’s “Natura 2000” EU protection zone while standing close to a dead ruddy shelduck, a protected species, in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“The ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), which is extremely uncommon across Europe and protected by the EU Birds Directive and the Italian law on the preservation of wild animals, is seen in the foreground of the video with Trump Jr…. “It is illegal to kill or hold this animal,” Zanoni stated.

In Italy, hunting is permitted but subject to tight regulations.

Zanoni cited a roughly 6-minute film in which Trump Jr. is shown hunting ducks in marshes close to Venice as part of a campaign for Field Ethos, an outdoor recreation company he co-founded.

He is seen in the video saying, “Lots of wigeon, teal (ducks),” in reference to his hunting haul. “An incredible shoot,” he concludes, after adding that he also got “a rather uncommon duck for the area, not even sure what it is in English.”

Reuters contacted Trump Jr. via social media and via email to the Trump Organization, where Trump Jr. is executive vice president, as well as Field Ethos via its website for a statement. No answers were received right away.

According to a voiceover in the Field Ethos film, the trip was conducted on private property, where hunting is limited to once a week and environmental preservation measures are implemented.

Although Field Ethos uploaded a condensed version of the film on YouTube on December 31, 2024, it was not dated. According to Italian media, Trump Jr. and his girlfriend visited Venice in December.

The ANSA news agency cited Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin as stating that he was aware of the alleged occurrence from press reports and was awaiting a report on it.