Watch the tech billionaire gush about the Italian PM in the above clip

ELON Musk has denied being romantically involved with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – but social media users think images of the pair suggest otherwise.

The billionaire has said the PM is “even more beautiful inside than outside” while she’s affectionately referred to Musk as a “precious genius”.

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Elon Musk took to X to deny being romantically involved with the Italian PMCredit: EPA

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The images of the two at the awards in New York have since gone viralCredit: EPA

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Musk handed Giorgia Meloni the Global Citizen AwardCredit: AP

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Images shared online show Musk, 53 and the Italian lawmaker, 47, gazing into each other’s eyes at the Global Citizen Awards in New York on Monday, as the Tesla founder handed her the award.

And if the photos captured weren’t enough to spark rumours, Meloni even requested Musk hand her the award himself months prior.

When handing over the achievement, Musk gushed that Meloni was “someone who is even more beautiful inside than outside” and joked “that can’t always be said about politicians”.

He then went on to refer to her affectionately as “authentic, honest and thoughtful”.

The Italian right-wing lawmaker responded by calling the billionaire a “precious genius”.

Users took to X, formerly Twitter, to express how the two could be more than friends after images from the awards night went viral.

One user said: “You can’t have mELONI without ELON.”

Another commented: “Find someone who looks at you the same way the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks at Elon Musk.”

And: “They would make a cute couple!”

But Musk jumped to the pair’s defence on his social media platform and squashed the dating rumours.

He said: “I was there with my Mom. There is no romantic relationship whatsoever with PM Meloni.”

Meloni split from her longtime partner Andrea Giambruno in 2023 after his lewd and sexist off-air comments were leaked – including asking a female TV colleague for a foursome.

The pair have an eight-year-old daughter together.

Musk has a complicated marriage history after being wedded to author Justine Wilson, 52 and twice married to Brit actress Talulah Riley, 39.

He’s also dated actress Amber Heard, 38, and singer Grimes, 36 – with whom he shares three children.

Musk and Meloni have met several times previously and have been on friendly terms for a while as the Tesla exec continues to befriend right-wing leaders.

In June last year, Musk jetted to Rome to meet the Italian leader at her official residence.

They bonded over their shared interests in declining birth rates and the untapped potential of artificial intelligence.

Musk also went to a gathering in December that was organised by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy political party.

He replied “yes” on X to a post claiming he had “reportedly accepted” the invite.

The four-day political youth festival Atreju confirmed his attendance on their own account, saying he was the “mystery” guest.

But there have been accusations that their close friendship is connected to the PM wanting to renew her links with Trump allies after Musk endorsed the ex-president for the upcoming election.

But Meloni claimed that the decision of Musk to introduce and present the award to her was made months ago and had “nothing to do with the American election campaign”.

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Elon denied a romance with Meloni in a post on his X account

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Meloni meeting Musk in June 2023Credit: Alamy

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Elon Musk attending the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar PartyCredit: Alamy