Musk gets good news a day after Italian PM visits Trump as Rome announces potential $1.6bn SpaceX deal
The IndependentSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A deal that would see Elon Musk’s SpaceX take over secure communications for the Italian government is reportedly back on track and nearing final approval after Italy’s prime minister met with Donald Trump this weekend. open image in gallery Donald Trump with Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday The agreement is still not final, but could see Musk win a lucrative contract with a foreign government with the aid of his new political ally just a few months after Musk bankrolled a multi-state effort to defeat Kamala Harris and other Democratic candidates. In September, he tweeted his approval of new changes to the Italian telecommunications sector — long controlled by the Italian government — which a blogger wrote was “paving the way for Starlink as an Italian backup system.” Some Italian officials say the potential agreement would adversely affect domestic carriers, though the plan has already been approved by several government agencies, including Italy’s intelligence service. open image in gallery Elon Musk is seen with Trump, JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the Army-Navy football game The deal is valued at $1.6bn and would provide a wide range of cell and internet services for the Italian civilian government and military, including a direct-to-cell service allowing for coverage in emergencies if traditional cell services are unavailable.