Italy’s Meloni denies discussing SpaceX deal with Musk

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently made it clear that she hasn’t had any talks with Elon Musk about a cybersecurity deal involving SpaceX. She told reporters at her annual press conference that she has “excellent relations” with Musk but denied any discussions about contracts.

The buzz started after some Italian media claimed that the government was in advanced talks with SpaceX for a hefty 1.5 billion euro contract to enhance secure telecommunications in Italy. Meloni emphasized that while SpaceX has presented technology for secure communication, she never personally discussed any deals with Musk.

The rumors stirred up quite a reaction from opposition parties in Italy. Elly Schlein, the leader of the Democratic Party, demanded transparency from Meloni regarding any discussions with Musk. She expressed concern over potentially spending Italian taxpayer money on an American billionaire’s satellites.

Meloni’s office firmly denied that any contracts were discussed during her recent meeting with Donald Trump. They clarified that while negotiations with SpaceX are ongoing, no agreements have been finalized. Musk, known for his wealth and influence, has shown interest in providing Italy with advanced communication solutions, but the government is still in the early stages of talks. Meloni described Musk as a “genius” and acknowledged the importance of secure communications for Italy’s diplomatic and military operations.