Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received the Global Citizen Award from the Atlantic Council in New York City on Monday night. Tech billionaire Elon Musk presented her with the award, praising Meloni as “someone who is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside” and “authentic, honest, and thoughtful.”
Meloni responded by calling Musk a “precious genius.” The two have met several times before, with Meloni hosting Musk at her official residence in Rome last year. In her 15-minute speech, Meloni outlined her vision of Western conservatism.
She defended the West’s “values” and “a civilization built over the centuries.” She argued that patriotism “is the best response to declinism,” challenging the idea of the West’s “inevitable decline.”
Meloni highlighted two main risks facing the West. The first, she said, is “oikophobia,” or “the aversion to one’s home.” The second risk is the paradox that while the West looks down on itself, it also claims to be superior to others.
Atlantic Council honors Giorgia Meloni
Meloni also addressed the shifting global order and the increasing demand for influence from developing countries. She highlighted Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, a model of cooperation based on equality aimed at building a long-term partnership with African nations. Meloni’s decision to have Musk present the award has attracted attention, especially with the US presidential election looming.
Musk has recently stepped up his support for Donald Trump, and some see Meloni’s move as a potential step towards rekindling ties with the Republican candidate. However, Meloni has been careful not to endorse any candidate in the US election openly. Since becoming prime minister, she 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.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
