"The problem is when wealthy people use their resources to finance parties, associations and political exponents all over the world to influence the political choices of nation states", Meloni told reporters at an annual press conference.

"That's not what Musk is doing," she added.

"Elon Musk financed an election campaign in his country, by his candidate, in a system in which, by the way, I would point out that this is quite common," Meloni said.

"But I am not aware of Elon Musk financing parties, associations or political exponents around the world. This, for example, is what George Soros does."

"And yes, I consider that to be dangerous interference in the affairs of nation states and in their sovereignty," she noted.

Meloni also pointed to other wealthy people actively funding parties and NGOs around the world to influence local policies.

"This is not the first time that famous and wealthy people have expressed their opinions. I have seen many such cases, often against me, and no one was offended then..."

Musk, she said, is a very rich man who expresses his opinion and does not pose a threat to democracy. 

"Is the problem that Elon Musk is influential and rich or that he is not left-wing?" asked Meloni.

She also noted that she and many others on the right are not financially dependent on Musk, unlike many on the left who are funded by Soros, or have been funded by him over the years.

Meloni denied ever taking any money from Musk, "unlike those who have taken it from Soros".

She also denied various media reports that her government is on the verge of signing a massive deal with Musk's company SpaceX.