Elon Musk said on Wednesday that he was not having an affair with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, replying to a joke after their mutual praise at a black-tie event in New York this week drew headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Musk, who has voiced support for Donald Trump’s return to power in the US, has seemingly found common ground with Meloni.

Tech billionaire had said Italy’s PM was “even more beautiful inside than outside.” She hailed him as a “precious genius.”

The far-right Meloni, who spoke at a think tank gala, has proven to be a more conventional leader than expected.

Soon after images of Musk and Meloni in New York surfaced online, social media erupted with comments speculating about a potential romance. A Tesla fan club posted a picture of them and wrote, ‘Do you think they’ll date?

Elon Musk has substantial business interests in Italy. He and Meloni are set to have a closed-door meeting later this month to discuss investment opportunities in the country’s space and artificial intelligence sectors.

Says she is "more beautiful on the inside than she was on the outside".

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have been dubbed a “perfect couple” online after Musk praised her during an awards ceremony in New York. This event took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Amid the swirling rumors, the Tesla Chief Elon Musk took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter to clarify the rumors. In response to a post from a Tesla club, Musk responded, “We are not dating,” putting an end to the romantic speculations.

Elon Musk offered effusive praise for Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in brief remarks at an awards ceremony in New York, the latest sign of coziness between a billionaire who’s trying to get Donald Trump elected and a European leader at odds with her Group of Seven allies.

Mr. Musk described Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as “authentic, honest and thoughtful.” She used her Atlantic Council spotlight to defend Western values.