Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly accused billionaire George Soros of interfering in the domestic politics of other nations, alleging that his financial influence destabilizes countries. Her remarks come amid growing concerns about foreign influence in European politics, especially in light of criticism towards Elon Musk for his comments on the social media platform X. Meloni defended Musk, asserting that his political views and actions do not pose a threat to democracy. She compared Musk to Soros, stating that the latter, with his wealth and left-wing ideology, engages in far more significant political interference. Meloni questioned whether the criticism of Musk stemmed from his right-wing views and wealth rather than his actions, which she claimed have not been harmful to democratic institutions.

Further commenting on the issue, Meloni emphasized that it is a real problem when wealthy individuals use their resources to influence political outcomes through funding political parties, organizations, and activists. She pointed out that unlike Soros, she was unaware of Musk financing any political entities or participating in similar interference. Meloni's statements were likely a direct rebuttal to media claims that her government might be considering a cybersecurity deal with Musk's company, SpaceX. In defending Musk, Meloni distinguished between the potential harm of political donations and the supposed “dangerous” interference of individuals like Soros, who has been accused of funding political movements and NGOs worldwide through his Open Society Foundations.

The discussion around foreign influence in European politics has been heightened by Musk's outspoken criticism of several European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. His involvement in the political arena has caused unease, especially as far-right and right-wing populist movements are gaining traction across Europe. However, Meloni argued that Musk's opinions on political matters should not be labeled as interference, suggesting that concerns only arise when powerful individuals use their financial resources to direct political choices on a global scale. She reiterated her belief that Soros' activities, which include funding political parties and social movements, represent a far more direct and impactful form of political manipulation.