In a spectacle that could only be described as a mix of politics, personal attacks, and artificial intelligence, Elon Musk has once again turned heads with his latest move. After facing a barrage of accusations from Italian Minister Vincenzo De Luca, who branded Musk as a "madman" and suggested he be locked up in a psychiatric hospital, the Tesla CEO retaliated in his own signature style—by commanding an AI to roast the politician in Italian.
The extraordinary feud began when De Luca, the President of Campania, lashed out at Musk in a public tirade. While responding to a reporter’s question about Musk’s recent proposal for a global “tariff truce,” De Luca took the opportunity to escalate matters by launching a series of personal attacks on the billionaire.
According to De Luca, Musk is not just a "junkie" and "cokehead," but also a "nutcase" who deserves to be locked in a psychiatric facility. He added that Musk, with his alleged 13-15 children spread around the globe, was the epitome of irresponsibility.
While De Luca's remarks were shocking, they were not entirely out of character. Known for his colorful rhetoric and controversial statements, De Luca has made a name for himself by stirring the pot with polarizing comments on a range of issues. Yet, the personal nature of his attack on Musk seemed to cross a line, particularly when it involved questioning the mental stability of one of the world’s most influential tech moguls.
The origins of this bizarre feud trace back to a brief exchange during an interview about Musk's attempts to mediate global trade tensions, particularly between the U.S. and Europe. Musk, ever the provocateur, had proposed a "tariff truce" between these two economic giants, a bold move aimed at easing the economic strain caused by rising tariffs.
But for De Luca, who is deeply entrenched in Italian politics, Musk's involvement in international economic matters was nothing short of galling.
Rather than addressing the issue at hand, De Luca unleashed a storm of insults, labeling Musk a “cocaine addict” and a “junkie,” claiming that the tech mogul’s behavior was both erratic and dangerous. But the minister didn’t stop there—he also suggested that Musk, who is often in the public eye for his personal and professional exploits, should be placed under a psychiatric hold.
“I think Elon Musk should be placed under 5150 psychiatric hold—or TSO, as it’s called in Italy. And it should be done quickly too,” De Luca said, referring to a legal procedure in Italy that allows for involuntary psychiatric treatment.
These comments drew immediate attention and triggered a storm of online reactions. Supporters of Musk quickly rallied around him, defending his mental stability and mocking De Luca for using mental health as a political tool.
On the other hand, critics of Musk’s growing influence and his unconventional ways saw De Luca’s remarks as an opportunity to voice their own frustrations with the billionaire’s political meddling.
But for Musk, whose public persona thrives on irreverence and boundary-pushing, the minister’s words were nothing short of a challenge. And so, in true Musk fashion, he took to his preferred platform, X (formerly Twitter), to respond to De Luca’s incendiary comments.
But Musk didn’t engage with De Luca directly; instead, he used an AI-powered assistant, Grok, to send a scathing message back in the form of a digital roast.
The tech mogul’s response was as unexpected as it was hilarious. Musk posted a screenshot of a conversation with his AI assistant Grok, asking it to “roast this douchebag in Italian.” The exchange, which Musk shared with his millions of followers, was a clever way to turn the tables on his critic. In typical Musk fashion, he added the caption: “Buono sera, buono sera…”—a sardonic nod to the Italian language and the political drama unfolding.
The move was a brilliant display of Musk’s digital savvy and his ability to turn even the most serious confrontations into viral moments. It wasn’t just about defending himself—it was about dominating the narrative and using artificial intelligence to create a moment that would capture the public’s attention.
Musk’s use of Grok, an AI chatbot developed by his company xAI, was a subtle yet pointed reminder of his control over both the tech world and the digital media landscape.
Musk’s decision to deploy an AI to handle a political dispute is a fascinating commentary on the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern communication. AI, once seen as a tool for solving complex scientific and engineering problems, is now being used by one of the world’s most influential figures to navigate political conflicts and personal attacks.
It’s a testament to Musk’s belief in the transformative power of technology, and his willingness to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the public arena.
While Musk’s AI-powered response was certainly entertaining, it also shed light on the deeper political context in which this feud is taking place. De Luca’s attacks on Musk were not just personal—they were political. By framing Musk’s actions in the context of his personal life, De Luca sought to discredit Musk’s credibility as a global influencer.
The 13-15 children that De Luca mentioned were likely an attempt to paint Musk as irresponsible and unstable, playing into traditional political rhetoric that seeks to undermine someone’s character based on their private life.
Moreover, De Luca’s criticism of Musk’s political influence was a thinly veiled attack on the broader trend of tech billionaires meddling in political affairs. Musk, who has consistently used his platform to comment on everything from space exploration to international trade, has long been a lightning rod for controversy.
De Luca, who represents the populist left, sees Musk’s influence as a threat to the traditional political order in Italy and beyond.
But for all of De Luca’s inflammatory rhetoric, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Musk’s influence continues to grow. As the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and several other companies, Musk has established himself as a figure whose words and actions can shape global markets, international relations, and even public opinion.
De Luca’s personal attacks may have been meant to diminish Musk’s influence, but in reality, they only served to fuel the billionaire’s rise as a political force in his own right.
The feud between De Luca and Musk may seem like a clash of personalities, but it’s emblematic of a larger struggle between traditional political structures and the disruptive force of tech billionaires. Musk, who has never been shy about expressing his views on government policies, taxes, and global affairs, represents the growing influence of non-governmental actors in shaping the political landscape.
In many ways, Musk is at the forefront of a new era in which wealthy individuals and tech moguls play an increasingly central role in global politics.
Ultimately, this feud is just one example of the growing divide between the old guard of politics and the new wave of tech-driven disruption. As Musk continues to leverage his influence in unconventional ways, it’s clear that the lines between politics, technology, and personal branding are becoming increasingly blurred.
Whether or not this clash with De Luca will have lasting political implications remains to be seen, but for now, it has provided yet another glimpse into the chaotic and unpredictable world of Elon Musk.
In the end, Musk’s use of AI to respond to De Luca is a masterclass in how to turn political conflict into a viral sensation. In a world where public opinion is often shaped by soundbites and memes, Musk has once again proven that he is a master of the digital age.