Katalin Novák discussed possible solutions to the global demographic crisis with Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and X at the company’s recently opened headquarters in Austin, Texas on Monday.

The South African-born entrepreneur welcomed the Hungarian head of state with one of his sons, and then he and Novák held a private meeting. At the beginning of their two-hour conversation, Novák noted that, while the issue of climate change is crucial, less attention is paid to the demographic crisis. She recalled that her interlocutor has recently stated that

the population crisis is a more serious issue than climate change.

The president observed that while addressing climate change is necessary, ‘if there are no future generations, there is no point in caring for the Earth.’ Novák emphasized that she is committed to family matters and addressing demographic issues. She informed Elon Musk that family policy has been a priority in Hungary in the past decade, which has led to improvements in demographics. She also extended and invitation to Musk to next year’s Budapest Demographic Summit.

After the meeting, Novák stated that she has found ‘a new ally in the fight for family freedom’ in Musk, who recognizes and appreciates Hungary’s family-centred programme. She underscored that as Hungary’s first female president, she is primarily a mother, and her visit also conveyed the message that a professional career and child-rearing are not mutually exclusive for women.

According to a press release issued by the Hungarian President’s Office, Elon Musk expressed his agreement with Novák regarding the importance of parenthood.

During the meeting, Musk even posted ‘parenthood will save the world’ on the social media platform he owns.

Elon Musk also shared President Novák’s post on his own social media, something he had not done recently after meetings with other world leaders he has recently met, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian leader Georgia Meloni, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Musk, who is the father of eleven children, also informed the President about the latest developments at Tesla, the world’s leading electric car manufacturer, and gave the Hungarian presidential delegation a tour of the Austin factory, which currently has an annual capacity of over 250,000 vehicles.

According to the Sándor Palace, the topics of discussion also included the war in Ukraine, with Elon Musk and Katalin Novák agreeing on the need for an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace. Katalin Novák informed Elon Musk about the situation of Hungarians in Transcarpathia and expressed her pleasure that her interlocutor supported the respect for the rights of national minorities.

The visit of the Hungarian president coincided with the opening of Tesla’s central office building next to the company’s factory, which was completed last year and is still under expansion.

Recently, Musk has expressed his views on the impending population challenges facing the world on several occasions, and has stood up for traditional values, including freedom of speech.

Director of Communications at the Sándor Palace Vajk Farkas stated that one of the main goals of the Hungarian president’s visit to the United States was to find allies for steps aimed at solving demographic problems. The meeting with Elon Musk

and the previous meetings with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte were part of that effort,

he emphasized.

During Novák’s weekend meeting with Greg Gianforte, it was emphasized that ‘a nation is strong only when families are strong.’ Novák referred to the protection and strengthening of families as a shared cause. Employment was also discussed during the meeting, considering that Montana has managed to reduce unemployment to below three per cent in recent years. Greg Gianforte is the most successful governor in the history of the northern federal state, elected with the largest majority to a political position.

In Montana, the Hungarian president also met with Republican Senator Steve Daines.

The President’s official visit will conclude on Tuesday in the capital of Utah, where Katalin Novák will meet with Governor Spencer Cox and give a lecture at Brigham Young University.

Related articles:

Sources: Hungarian Conservative/Sándor Palace/MTI