Germany Italy's head of government praises Musk as a "brilliant man"
Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended US billionaire Elon Musk against criticism from other European capitals.
03.01.2025, 10:19
SDA
In an interview with the Italian daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera", Meloni described the adviser to soon-to-be President Donald Trump as a "brilliant man". "He is a great personality of our time, an extraordinary innovator who always has his eye on the future."
The leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) also commented on her personal relationship with Tesla founder Musk. "We are definitely two people who have a very good relationship," said Meloni. "He is a brilliant man and it is 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 by making statements through various channels. This has included calling German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier a "tyrant" and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a "fool". There are now calls from various quarters to limit his 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 presumed richest man in the world gave a speech in praise of the Prime Minister last year when she received an award in the USA. Of the heads of government of the major EU states, the Italian is currently considered to have the best relations with the Trump camp.
Meloni: Musk once 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 between her and Musk where we are further apart". However, some had praised Musk as a genius until yesterday and were now portraying him as a monster simply because he had chosen the "wrong" camp.
