# Trump Officials Feted Albanian Opposition Leader

> Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha, once labeled 'corrupt' by the State Department, met Trump administration officials at GOP convention.
- Title: Trump Officials Feted Albanian Opposition Leader | Shortify
- Summary: Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha, once labeled 'corrupt' by the State Department, met Trump administration officials at GOP convention. Sali Berisha…
- Keywords: sali berisha, albania, state department, trump administration, democratic party of albania, international democracy union, continental strategy llp, make albania great again foundation, albanian opposition, us visa waiver, corruption charges, albanian drug smuggling
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/albania-sali-berisha-state-department-trump-gop-midterm-convention
- Author: Dan Friedman
- Published: 2026-10-15T17:50:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sali berisha, albania, state department, trump administration, democratic party of albania, international democracy union, continental strategy llp, make albania great again foundation, albanian opposition, us visa waiver, corruption charges, albanian drug smuggling
## Sali Berisha's Background
Sali Berisha, leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, began his career in the communist party under Enver Hoxha.
## State Department Designation
The US State Department designated Berisha 'persona non grata' in 2021 due to corruption allegations.
## Trump Convention Meeting
Berisha posed with Trump administration officials including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward.
## Albanian Opposition Strategy
Berisha claims Prime Minister Edi Rama is a corrupt beneficiary of Albanian drug smuggling operations.
## Trump Campaign Ties
Former Trump 2024 campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita advised Berisha's Democratic Party of Albania ahead of 2025 elections.
## Lobbying for Visa Waiver
Continental Strategy LLP, a firm with Trump-linked lobbyists, lobbied for Berisha's State Department visa waiver.
## Albanian Corruption Charges
Berisha faces criminal charges in Albania over alleged corruption of public land for apartment complexes.
## State Department Status
The State Department has not removed its 2021 designation of Berisha as 'corrupt' despite visa waiver.
## US Visa Waiver
Trump administration granted Berisha a visa waiver to attend GOP convention after State Department reversal.
## Albanian Protests
Widespread protests in Tirana against Prime Minister Edi Rama's policies have weakened his political position.
## Continental Strategy Payments
Continental Strategy LLP received $750,000 for lobbying efforts to remove Berisha's State Department designation.
## Albanian Opposition Challenges
Berisha faces ongoing corruption charges and a ban on traveling to the United Kingdom.
## Key takeaway

Sali Berisha, Albania's opposition leader, gained US visa access after Trump administration reversed State Department's 2021 corruption designation.