Overview
- Elon Musk posted “L’Italia sta scomparendo” on X alongside an image of the Italian flag burning.
- The post directly referenced Istat data reporting 370,000 births in 2024 and a total fertility rate far below replacement.
- Istat figures also show Italy’s population at about 58.9 million as of June 30, 2025, continuing a downward trend.
- Within hours, the message drew millions of views and thousands of comments, fueling a highly visible online exchange.
- Musk has repeatedly issued similar warnings since 2022, and reactions ranged from accusations of hyperbole to acknowledgment of a serious demographic problem.