Democratic Party’s Trump obsession turns ridiculous, while election prospects remain grim

As Albania heads toward the May 11 parliamentary elections, the Democratic Party’s (DP) fixation on portraying itself as aligned with the Trump family and enjoying U.S. backing is starting to verge on the absurd — and looks increasingly detached from political reality.

Why is this important: While DP is spending $6 million on a lobbying deal with a firm linked to Trump allies, it’s also amplifying ceremonial social media posts as supposed evidence of U.S. support. The strategy appears ineffective in swaying an election the ruling Socialists are widely expected to win in a landslide — and is instead drawing ridicule as desperate and out of touch.

Context: Through a long-term contract with Continental Strategy, a firm run by Trump-era officials, the DP hopes to rebuild ties with the U.S. and challenge Berisha’s “non grata” designation. That contract, signed by DP Secretary General Flamur Noka, has already drawn scrutiny from SPAK (Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution), raising legal questions over foreign funding, transparency, and the involvement of a mysterious foundation created just days before the deal.

But beyond this high-stakes gamble, the efforts of DP to create a perception of American support, have on occasion taken a comical turn.

Thus, the quasi-official Democratic Party outlet Syri, which is closely affiliated with the Berisha family, recently published a claim based on a Facebook post by a pro-DP journalist. The post highlighted a photo of the party’s American campaign strategist, Chris LaCivita, standing next to Melania Trump’s father. The image — seemingly from a past campaign event — was one of 20 shared by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana as part of a ceremonial social media post marking the former First Lady’s birthday.

Despite the clearly apolitical and routine nature of the post, it was presented in the article as proof that the U.S. Embassy has clearly aligned with Berisha ahead of the May 11 elections.

“The U.S. Embassy in Tirana speaks with PHOTOS!!
Chris LaCivita next to Melania Trump’s father for the birthday of the First Lady of the U.S.
For all that has been said and asked by the ‘voices’ in Tirana, about where the American Embassy stands in these elections?
Here is the answer!
Chris LaCivita in the White House post and the repost by the American Embassy in Tirana!
May 11 is starting to look difficult for Rama!”

Political reality check: While these narratives may energize certain segments of DP’s base, they are unlikely to sway undecided voters — especially in a race the Socialist Party is widely projected to dominate. The public, more concerned with real-world issues like the economy, corruption, and emigration, is unlikely to be impressed by symbolic photos or vague associations.

Meanwhile, the real political and legal risks remain with the $6 million lobbying contract. If the funding is found to come from foreign donations used for electoral purposes — something Albanian law prohibits — party officials could face serious consequences.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, critics warn that this blend of fantasy, speculation, and misplaced priorities might offer the clearest explanation yet of why the opposition is losing ground — not winning allies.