Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended US billionaire Elon Musk against criticism from other European capitals. In an interview with the Italian daily newspaper “Corriere della Sera,” Meloni described the adviser to the soon-to-be President Donald Trump as a “genius man.” “He is a great personality of our time, an extraordinary innovator who always has the future in mind.”
The leader of the right-wing Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party also commented on her personal relationship with Tesla founder Musk. “We are definitely two people who have a very good relationship,” Meloni said. “He’s a brilliant man and it’s always very interesting to deal with him.”
Italy’s President Mattarella also resisted advice
Since Trump’s victory in the USA, Musk has increasingly tried to influence politics in Europe with statements on various channels. This included calling Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier a “tyrant” and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) a “twit.” There are now calls from various quarters to limit its influence. Italy’s head of state Sergio Mattarella also resisted advice from outside.
However, Meloni, who has a friendly relationship with Musk, defended him. The presumably richest man in the world gave a eulogy for the Prime Minister last year when she received an award in the USA. Among the heads of government of the major EU states, the Italian is currently considered to be the one with the best relationships with the Trump camp.
Meloni: Musk used to be a genius for some, now a monster
In the interview with the daily newspaper’s weekend supplement “Sette,” Meloni went on to say that there are of course “things where we are further apart” between her and Musk. However, until yesterday, some praised Musk as a genius and today portrayed him as a monster just because he chose the “wrong” camp.
