NEW YORK, Sept 26: Elon Musk has officially denied any romantic involvement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following the circulation of photos showing the two together that sparked a frenzy on social media. The pictures, taken at the Global Citizen Awards in New York City on Monday, depicted Musk and Meloni gazing into each other's eyes as Musk presented her with the prestigious award.

One user on X, formerly Twitter, commented, "Find someone who looks at you the same way the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks at Elon Musk," sharing a photo of Musk touching Meloni's shoulder. Another user quipped, "You can't have mELONi without ELON," highlighting the playful nature of the online discussions. The New York Post even described the event as a "public love-in" between the world’s richest man and the first female Prime Minister of Italy.

However, Musk responded to the speculation, clarifying on X, "I was there with my Mom. There is no romantic relationship whatsoever with PM Meloni." This statement followed a post featuring a photo of them at a banquet table, humorously captioned, "We all know what happened next."

Musk and Meloni have a history of meetings, including a visit to her official residence in Rome in June of last year. Musk returned to Italy in December to speak at a political festival organized by Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party. Their previous discussions have revolved around shared concerns regarding declining birth rates in the West and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.

Meloni, who recently ended a long-term relationship with Andrea Giambruno after his controversial comments on Italian television, specifically requested Musk to present her with the Global Citizen Award from the Atlantic Council think tank. During his remarks prior to handing over the award, Musk praised Meloni, stating she is "even more beautiful inside than outside." He humorously added, "That can't always be said about politicians," while describing her as "authentic, honest and thoughtful."

In her speech, Meloni referred to Musk as a "precious genius" before outlining her vision for Western conservatism. She remarked, "I don't know if nationalism is the correct word because it often recalls doctrines of aggression or authoritarianism," and emphasized that there is no shame in defending concepts like "nation" and "patriotism." She asserted that patriotism is "the best response to declinism," challenging the prevailing narrative of the West's decline. Throughout her speech, Musk was seen nodding in agreement and stood to applaud her upon its conclusion.