Italian Prime Minister Defends Musk Amid European Uproar: "The Real Problem Is Soros"

Musk, a Thorn in the Side of European Politics
Prime Minister Meloni: "Not a Threat to Democracy"
"Soros, Who Uses Wealth to Exert Influence, Is the Real Problem"

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has become a thorn in the side of political circles across Europe, but Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has come to his defense. According to Yonhap News Agency, "At the year-end annual press conference held in Rome on the 9th (local time), Prime Minister Meloni repeatedly gave positive evaluations of Musk, who has been interfering in European political issues."

At an event held last September at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York, USA, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, were engaged in conversation. This photo sparked rumors about their relationship. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

According to the report, Prime Minister Meloni retorted, "Is Musk's problem that he is wealthy and influential, or that he is not left-wing?" and firmly stated, "Musk is not a threat to democracy." She continued, "Interference refers to wealthy people using their financial power to support political parties and organizations worldwide to influence policies," pointing out, "George Soros is an example of that."

She added, "I do not receive money from Musk. Rather, others have received money from Soros," and reiterated, "I do not see (Musk) as a threat to democracy." Soros, a giant in the hedge fund world, has long been a major donor to the U.S. Democratic Party and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden, who was about to retire on the 4th.

Prime Minister Meloni, who maintains a good relationship with Musk, who has emerged as a key figure in the second Trump administration, sees the current situation as an opportunity. In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on the 3rd, she said, "(Musk is) a leading figure of our time and a special innovator who always thinks about the future." At one point, photos of them looking at each other with affectionate eyes circulated, sparking rumors. Meloni said, "We definitely have a very good relationship," adding, "He is an outstanding person, and conversations with him are always very interesting."

Amid recent turmoil in European political circles in France, Germany, and the UK, Prime Minister Meloni is leading Italy's political situation steadily and is emerging as a key figure in setting relations with the United States. President-elect Donald Trump praised Meloni during her visit to the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on the 4th, saying, "I am here with the fantastic Italian Prime Minister, a wonderful woman," and "She is really sweeping through Europe."