On September 23, 2024 in New York, Elon Musk caused a sensation by presenting a prestigious award to the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia MeloniAt the Global Citizen Awards, on the stage of the Ziegfeld Theatre, the entrepreneur heaped praise on the Italian Prime Minister, highlighting her "incredible work" at the helm of the country. This high-profile relationship, though denied by the billionaire on X as being purely personal, masks significant economic and ideological interests.
Elon Musk He didn't hesitate to describe Giorgia Meloni as "an honest, genuine, and authentic person," even adding, at the risk of making a gaffe, that she was "even more beautiful on the inside than on the outside." Faced with these effusive compliments, rumors of a romantic relationship quickly surfaced, forcing the head of Tesla and SpaceX to clarify the situation: "There is no romantic relationship with Giorgia Meloni," he wrote on X.
For her part, the Prime Minister did not hide her admiration for the billionaire, describing him as a "precious genius for the times in which we live." However, this complicity, although sincere, goes well beyond the praise exchanged on the New York stage.
Shared economic interests
This proximity is not only ideological, it could also have important economic repercussions. According to several media outlets, including Bloomberg, Elon Musk and Giorgia Meloni are expected to meet again soon to discuss investment opportunities, particularly in the Italian space and artificial intelligence sectors. In particular, the Italian government is working on a bill to allow foreign space companies, such as SpaceX, to operate in the country.
The Italian project opens a path for Starlink, Musk's satellite internet provider. Currently held back by Telecom Italia, Starlink could benefit from the Meloni government's support to expand in Italy. The country, which is in search of investment, could thus become an ideal playground for the billionaire.
A strategic challenge facing France
Beyond Italy, this Meloni-Musk alliance could have repercussions in Brussels. The billionaire, in conflict with the European Commission over digital regulations, could hope for the support of the Italian prime minister and her conservative right to soften the potential sanctions against X (formerly Twitter).
The budding cooperation also highlights growing competition with France. An Italian space bill that would provide the country with a reserve of satellite transmission capacity could give SpaceX an edge over its French rival OneWeb, a subsidiary of Eutelsat. Starlink, with its lower costs and larger satellite constellation, appears to be the favorite to win a potential tender, to the detriment of France.
Towards a transatlantic alliance?
For some observers, this agreement between Elon Musk and Giorgia Meloni could be the prelude to a "transatlantic alliance", as highlighted by the Wall Street JournalThe world's richest man shares common concerns with the Italian prime minister, including the birth rate and the preservation of Western civilization. This proximity could prove useful, not only for Musk's business, but also to strengthen Meloni's position on the international stage, particularly in his relations with the United States.
In conclusion, if the meeting between Elon Musk and Giorgia Meloni has caused a lot of ink to flow, it goes far beyond the media. The economic and geopolitical stakes of this relationship could redefine the balances within Europe and the Atlantic.
