Trump Ambassador Pick's Manhattan Townhouse Flagged as Unlicensed Short-Term Rental

Paolo Zampolli, nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the UN agencies in Rome, appears to be operating unapproved short-term rentals out of his Upper East Side townhouse — catering, records suggest, largely to Brazilian tourists.

Paolo Zampolli, a Trump administration ambassador nominee, is linked to short-term rental listings at his Manhattan townhouse.
New York City's 2023 short-term rental law requires hosts to register with the city and be present during guest stays.
Listings associated with the property appear to target Brazilian tourists specifically.
Zampolli has not publicly addressed the unlicensed-operation questions raised by the Curbed report.
Operating an unregistered short-term rental in New York City can result in fines starting at $1,000 per violation.

Paolo Zampolli, the fashion entrepreneur and longtime Trump associate nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to United Nations agencies in Rome, is drawing scrutiny over what Curbed reported Monday appears to be an unlicensed short-term rental operation running out of his Manhattan townhouse.

Under Local Law 18, which took effect in September 2023, New York City hosts must register with the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, remain on-premises during guest stays, and cap bookings at two guests per listing. Unregistered operators face fines beginning at $1,000 per violation, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.

Listings connected to the property — described by Curbed as a multi-unit townhouse — appear to be pitched specifically at Brazilian travelers, a detail the report notes without a ready explanation from Zampolli or his representatives.

Zampolli is perhaps best known for having introduced Melania Knauss to Donald Trump at a 1998 party. He was nominated to the Rome post earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Zampolli had not responded to a request for comment as of publication, according to Curbed’s Monday report.

The Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement maintains a public registry of approved short-term rental hosts. The townhouse does not appear on it.