Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has drawn a comparison between the influence of two prominent billionaires on the global political landscape.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asserted that billionaire philanthropist George Soros presents a more significant threat to global stability than Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur. This statement follows Musk’s recent criticism of German and British governments, coinciding with his anticipated role in Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
Responding to a question about Musk’s influence at a Roman press conference on Thursday, Meloni stated that the issue wasn’t simply Musk’s wealth and influence, but rather whether his political leanings were left-wing or not. She argued that Musk doesn’t pose a danger to democracy, contrasting his actions with what she described as Soros’s use of considerable resources to fund political parties and organizations globally, thereby impacting policy.
Meloni confirmed that Italy is in talks with several private companies, including SpaceX, regarding national telecommunications security, while denying any private discussions with Musk on this subject.
“I have not discussed this with Musk. I don’t use my position to favor personal acquaintances,” Meloni stated.
The relationship between the right-wing Italian leader and Musk has drawn significant media attention. Meloni has defended her connection with Musk, assuring Italian parliamentarians that she would remain impartial in matters involving his financial interests.
Musk is set to join the incoming US president’s team, having been selected by Trump alongside Vivek Ramaswamy to lead an informal ‘Department of Government Efficiency’. Recently, Musk has increasingly targeted European leaders, particularly in Germany and the UK.
He has also criticized Soros, drawing a comparison to the main antagonist in Star Wars, following President Biden’s awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Soros. Soros, through his Open Society Foundations, has actively sought to influence political processes worldwide. His organization’s activities have been banned in several countries, including Russia, Pakistan, and the Philippines.