Elon Musk introduced Giorgia Meloni at the Atlantic Council's ceremony, praising her integrity and leadership as Italy's first female prime minister
Meloni was honored for her role in promoting the European Union and the transatlantic alliance, as well as for her presidency of the G7 in 2024
In her speech, Meloni emphasized the need to defend Western values against autocracies, cautioning against the West’s self-doubt and contempt
Meloni warned that developing nations are gaining ground, urging a shift in how the West interacts with the global South to prevent isolation
She stated that democracies must reclaim their narratives and values, asserting the importance of patriotism in the face of declining credibility
Meloni quoted Michael Jackson and Ronald Reagan, advocating for self-reflection and highlighting freedom as a powerful weapon against adversaries