Italian opposition leaders roundly criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government for engaging in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) deal for encrypted communications systems.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy visited Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort over the weekend, becoming the latest world leader to meet with the president-elect ahead of his inauguration later this month.

Meloni received a rapturous welcome to Trump's Palm Beach resort, according to videos circulating on social media.

Giorgia Meloni had dinner with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Saturday, as the Italian prime minister seeks to strengthen ties with the US president-elect ahead of his swearing in.

Giorgia Meloni flew to Florida to meet with Donald Trump on Saturday, as the key European leader sought to further boost ties with the US before the president-elect’s inauguration on Jan 20.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Trump on Saturday. They were joined by a number of Trump’s expected nominees for his

Meloni, at the age of 47, has been commended by Trump for her impactful presence in Europe, with her election in 2022 marking her as the first female Italian prime minister. She leads the Brothers of Italy party, which gained significant popularity due to public dissatisfaction with the Italian government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

Billionaire Elon Musk is looking to carve out a role in Italy's telecommunications system by expanding his aerospace business Space X and satellite broadband venture Starlink.

Italy is reportedly close to sealing a €1.5 billion (£1.25 billion) deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX that would provide the country’s government with secure telecommunications.