Elon Musk criticised Rome judges for blocking the detention of seven migrants under Italy’s migrant policy with Albania, a move that divided Italian politics. The migrants, citizens of Egypt and Bangladesh, arrived in Brindisi early on Tuesday following the ruling.
On 18th October, the same court had refused to validate the detention of 12 migrants in the first batch sent to Albania under Italy’s agreement to process migrants abroad. Musk posted on X, stating, “These judges need to go,” in response to a post on the ruling, which was referred to the European Court of Justice. The court recently ruled that Egypt and Bangladesh are not entirely safe.
Musk, a strong Trump supporter, has weighed in on Italian migration policies before. Last year, he criticised Germany’s support for migrant-rescue charities operating in Italy. His latest comments drew praise from Italy’s right wing. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Premier and League leader, welcomed Musk’s remarks, calling the judges “Communist” and saying they worked against Italian interests.
Salvini, on trial for allegedly kidnapping 147 migrants by blocking a rescue ship as part of his former closed ports policy, said, “Elon Musk is right.” Salvini faces up to six years in prison if convicted.
Musk splits opinion of Italian politicians
While Salvini and his allies appreciated Musk’s stance, other figures in the ruling coalition struck a more cautious tone. Maurizio Lupi, from the We Moderates group, found Musk’s remarks “inappropriate,” stating they unnecessarily stirred conflict with the judiciary.
Fabio Rampelli, an official with Brothers of Italy (FdI), also criticised the judges, claiming they “politically interpret” European Court rulings. However, he added, “We thank Elon Musk, but we will handle our issues differently than the left, which sensationalises Italy’s problems internationally.”
The opposition condemned Musk’s intervention. Angelo Bonelli of the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) and Andrea Casu of the Democratic Party called it “unacceptable interference.” Bonelli demanded that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defend Italy’s judiciary, asserting Musk was acting as “Trump’s right-hand man.” Casu added, “The Prime Minister must defend national sovereignty or declare her stance on this attack.”
Italian Left leader Nicola Fratoianni questioned whether the government would defend Italy from Musk’s “interference.” Meloni, who recently praised Musk as a “potential interlocutor” following Trump’s re-election, awarded him the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award in September, calling him “an incredible asset.”
