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

Context of the Controversial Comments

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, who heads the CGIL union, uttered the words on a TV program on Tuesday. This came just after world leaders, including Meloni, participated in a Middle East peace summit held in Egypt.

Landini accused Meloni of “failing to act” to promote peace in Gaza, saying her involvement was limited to “acting as Trump’s courtesan”. “Fortunately, Italian people took to the street to uphold the honor and dignity of Italy,” he commented.

Prime Minister’s Reply

In a social media post on Thursday, Meloni declared that the union chief was clearly blinded by growing bitterness (which is understandable)”. She proceeded to publish a explanation of the expression “courtesan”.

“I think most people are aware the primary definition associated with this word, but, to assist anyone unfamiliar, I am sharing the initial definition found through a quick internet search,” Meloni said, including a screenshot that stated: “Promiscuous woman, straight; substitute term, escort.”

Meloni additionally rebuked her political rivals on the left, observing that for a long time they had admonished us on respect for women” only to then disparage a woman by “calling her a prostitute”.

Union Leader’s Explanation

Reacting to the post, Landini contended that there were “no sexist insults” toward the Prime Minister and that the term was meant to imply “Trump’s subordinate”.

Through an official comment, he explained: “Over a short TV segment, that is publicly available, to prevent misinterpretation or exploitation of the term, I promptly explained the sense of my words – that the Prime Minister was on the coat tails of Trump, she was in Trump’s circle, she acted as Trump’s subordinate.”

Meloni’s Relations with Trump

Meloni has consistently maintained amicable ties with the US president. While addressing the audience at the Egypt summit, Trump addressed Meloni – the lone woman present at the summit – and called her “beautiful”. “Across America, it would be the end of your political career,” he noted. “But I’ll take the risk. Do you mind if I say you’re beautiful? Since you are genuinely beautiful.”

Trump subsequently commended Meloni as “motivational to all” in reference to the English version of her publication, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which includes a preface by Donald Trump Jr..

Previous Incidents

Earlier this year, Meloni reacted strongly after learning that manipulated pictures of Meloni and additional notable women from Italy had been shared on a explicit platform, saying she was “disgusted”, and expressing “unity and backing to every woman who have been insulted, offended, and abused”.