Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the controversial development project in Zvernec, rejecting allegations linking the initiative to the Trump family and accusing foreign competitors and disinformation campaigns of fueling public opposition.

Speaking in a live interview with CNN International, Rama addressed ongoing protests against the project, which have drawn demonstrators to the capital Tirana and other parts of the country in recent weeks.

Responding to questions about public concerns over the development and its reported connection to investor Jared Kushner, Rama argued that much of the criticism has been driven by misinformation.

“We are in a hybrid war,” Rama said. “Albania is under attack from enemies we know very well. It is under attack from strong competition in our part of the Mediterranean and from thousands of fake online profiles created to generate this storm.”

The prime minister also challenged reports suggesting that protests were taking place nationwide, insisting that demonstrations were limited and that some media coverage had exaggerated the scale of public opposition.

While acknowledging that some protesters were acting in good faith and were genuinely concerned about environmental issues, Rama said many had been misled by false information circulating online.

“There is no such thing as a Trump family island,” he said. “There is no such thing as the family of the President of the United States taking control of protected areas with flamingos.”

The Zvernec project has become one of Albania’s most debated development initiatives, sparking discussions over environmental protection, tourism investment, and the future of the country’s coastal areas. Government officials maintain that the project will respect environmental standards, while critics continue to raise concerns about its potential impact on protected ecosystems.