Elon Musk’s recent praise for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sparked significant buzz, adding fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding their growing relationship. At an awards ceremony in New York, Musk showered Meloni with accolades as he presented her with the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award. He described her as “someone who is even more beautiful on the inside than she was on the outside,” praising her authenticity, honesty, and truthfulness—qualities he believes are rare in politicians.
This public display of admiration underscores the warm bond between Musk and Meloni, both of whom share ideological leanings towards the right. Their mutual affinity has been evident in previous interactions, including Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party festival last December, where Musk urged the crowd to “make more Italians” and voiced concerns about unchecked migration.
While Meloni has maintained a neutral stance in the upcoming US Presidential election, expressing her commitment to working closely with whoever takes office, the growing relationship between her and Musk raises questions about potential collaborations between Italy and the US in the realm of space and artificial intelligence. This connection is further strengthened by Musk’s business interests in Italy, including his Starlink satellite internet service, which already operates in the country.
Musk and Meloni are scheduled to meet later this month for a closed-door discussion on investment opportunities in these sectors. Italy, having recently approved a new regulatory framework to attract foreign space companies, is poised to become a hub for such investments, potentially drawing in billions of dollars. Meloni, who has expressed interest in AI, acknowledged its potential to widen global imbalances but emphasized the need for human control over the technology to ensure it remains beneficial.
However, the choice to award Meloni the Global Citizen Award, with Musk as the presenter, has sparked controversy within the Atlantic Council. Some former and current staff members have voiced their disapproval, citing discrepancies between Meloni’s stances on Ukraine and immigration and the organization’s values. Despite these criticisms, the Atlantic Council has defended its decision, citing Meloni’s strong support of the European Union and her historic achievement as Italy’s first female prime minister.
The convergence of these events paints a complex picture of shifting dynamics between the US and Italy. As Meloni navigates the international stage, her connection with Musk, a powerful figure in both the tech and political spheres, continues to generate intrigue and fuels speculation about the future of this evolving relationship.
