Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was presented with the Global Citizen Award by billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk at her request on Monday, a decision widely interpreted by Italian media as a possible step towards rekindling ties with the Republican candidate.
On Monday evening, the Italian Prime Minister received the Global Citizen Award from the Atlantic Council in New York, an award that recognises leaders who have made a significant contribution to strengthening transatlantic relations.
However, Meloni’s decision to have Musk present it has attracted considerable attention in the days leading up to the event, especially with the US presidential election looming. Musk has recently stepped up his financial and political support for Trump, making the timing of the choice particularly sensitive.
Both Italian media and the Financial Times have suggested that the move signals a potential political alignment with Trump. Musk is seen as one of his most powerful supporters and could even head a so-called ‘efficiency commission’ if Trump is re-elected.
Reports from Politico reveal that Meloni’s involvement in the Atlantic Council event was already a matter of internal debate within the organisation. Her decision to have Musk present the award further escalated tensions, with staff members expressing their displeasure in a letter to Atlantic Council CEO Frederick Kempe earlier this month.
Meloni had previously expressed admiration for Trump during her time in opposition when she praised his policies and sought to replicate his ‘America First’ approach in Italy. In 2019, she invited Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, to her party’s Fratelli d’Italia festival. Musk himself attended the same event in 2022.
Since becoming prime minister, however, Meloni has adopted a more pro-European and Atlanticist stance, emerging as a vocal supporter of Ukraine and building strong ties with US President Joe Biden.
But according to the Financial Times, some of her allies believe she could become Trump’s key European partner if he returns to the White House, boosting her standing among European leaders, with whom she has often had strained relations.
While Meloni has been careful not to openly endorse any candidate in the US election, saying she will work with whoever wins, her Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, has been an unabashed supporter of Trump for years.
According to Corriere della Sera, sources close to Meloni insist that the decision to involve Musk was made months ago, long before his support for Trump became public.
Speaking to journalists, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also rejected the idea that Meloni’s choice was politically motivated. Instead, he described it as a strategic decision to boost Italy’s business interests rather than signalling support for Trump.
(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)
Source: euractiv.com
