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The Italian Prime Minister has sharply criticized the head of the major Italian trade union after he described her as “the courtesan” of President Donald Trump.

Context of the Disputed Remarks

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, the head of the CGIL union, made the statement on a TV program this Tuesday. This occurred after global figures, Meloni among them, participated in a peace conference for the Middle East in Egypt.

Landini accused the Prime Minister of “not having lifted a finger” to advance peace in Gaza, saying her role was limited to “serving as Trump’s courtesan”. Luckily, Italian people took to the street to protect the dignity and honour of Italy,” he commented.

Meloni’s Response

In a social media post this Thursday, Meloni remarked that Landini was obviously obscured by growing bitterness (which is understandable)”. She proceeded to post a definition of the word “courtesan”.

“I think it is widely understood the usual interpretation attributed to this term, but, for the benefit of anyone unfamiliar, I’m publishing the first definition located via a brief online search,” Meloni explained, including a screenshot that stated: “Woman of loose morals, heterosexual; substitute term, prostitute.”

Meloni also criticized her leftwing opponents, observing that for a long time they had preached to us on gender equality” only to then attack a woman by “calling her a prostitute”.

Response from Landini

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments, the union leader contended that there were “no gender-based slurs” toward Meloni and that the term was meant to imply “Trump’s subordinate”.

In a statement, he explained: “In a 10-minute interview, readily accessible to all, to clarify any confusion or exploitation of the term, I made it clear my intended meaning – that the Prime Minister was trailing behind Trump, she attended Trump’s court, she was Trump’s lackey.”

Meloni’s Relations with Trump

The Italian leader has steadily built friendly relations with President Trump. During a speech during the Middle East event, Trump addressed the Italian Prime Minister – the only woman present at the summit – and called her “beautiful”. “In the US, such a remark might be career-ending,” he said. “Still, I am willing to chance it. Is it alright if I state you’re beautiful? Because you truly are beautiful.”

Trump later praised Meloni as “an inspiration to all” in concerning the English version of her publication, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which includes a introduction by Donald Trump Jr..

Past Events

During the summer, the Prime Minister also hit back after discovering that doctored photos of her and other prominent Italian women had been uploaded to a explicit platform, expressing her disgust, and showing “solidarity and support to the women who have been offended, insulted and violated”.