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Giorgia Meloni has strongly condemned the head of Italy’s largest trade union after the official referred to her as the “courtesan” of President Donald Trump.

Context of the Controversial Comments

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, who heads Italy’s CGIL labor organization, made the statement on a TV program on Tuesday. This followed international leaders, Meloni among them, participated in a peace conference for the Middle East held in Egypt.

The union leader claimed the Prime Minister of “not having lifted a finger” to secure peace in Gaza, remarking her role was limited to “serving as Trump’s courtesan”. “Fortunately, the Italian citizens demonstrated to defend the honor and dignity of Italy,” he commented.

Meloni’s Response

In a social media post this Thursday, the Prime Minister declared that Landini was “evidently clouded by growing bitterness (that I comprehend)”. She then publish a definition of the term “courtesan”.

“I believe it is widely understood the most common meaning given to this expression, but, to help anyone unfamiliar, I am sharing the initial definition obtained from a simple web search,” Meloni said, including a screenshot that stated: “Woman of easy virtue, straight; substitute term, sex worker.”

She further condemned her left-leaning critics, saying that for a long time they had preached to us on respect for women” only to then disparage a female leader by “referring to her as a prostitute”.

Union Leader’s Explanation

Reacting to the post, the union leader argued that there were “no sexist insults” toward the Prime Minister and that he had used “an underling to Trump”.

Via a released message, he said: “During a brief interview, readily accessible to all, to avoid any misunderstanding or twisting of the words, I promptly explained my intended meaning – that Meloni was trailing behind Trump, she was at Trump’s court, she was Trump’s lackey.”

Connection with the US President

Meloni has long nurtured cordial connections with the American leader. While addressing the audience during the Middle East event, Trump turned to the Italian Prime Minister – the only woman at the event – and referred to her as “beautiful”. “Across America, this could be the end of your political career,” he remarked. “Still, I am willing to chance it. May I comment that you look beautiful? Because you truly are beautiful.”

President Trump afterwards lauded Meloni as “motivational to all” in reference to the English edition of her publication, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which contains a foreword by Trump’s son.

Past Events

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister responded firmly after discovering that doctored photos of Meloni and additional notable women from Italy had been uploaded to a adult site, stating she felt revulsion, and expressing “solidarity and support to all the women who have been insulted, offended, and abused”.