🔗 Share this article

The Italian Prime Minister has sharply criticized the head of Italy’s largest trade union after he described her as a “courtesan” of ex-President Donald Trump.

Context of the Controversial Comments

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, the head of the CGIL union, made the statement on a TV program this Tuesday. This came just after international leaders, Meloni among them, attended a summit on Middle East peace hosted by Egypt.

Landini accused Meloni of “not having lifted a finger” to advance peace in Gaza, saying her participation was restricted to “acting as Trump’s courtesan”. Luckily, citizens of Italy protested to defend the prestige and integrity of this country,” he stated.

Official Reaction

On her social media accounts this Thursday, Meloni stated that the union chief was obviously obscured by increasing animosity (that I comprehend)”. She then share a explanation of the word “courtesan”.

“In my opinion most people are aware the primary definition attributed to this term, but, for the benefit of people who don’t know, I’m publishing the first definition found through a simple web search,” Meloni said, including a screenshot that said: “Woman of easy virtue, heterosexual; substitute term, sex worker.”

She additionally rebuked her political rivals on the left, observing that for a long time they had “lectured us on women’s rights” only to then criticize a woman by “referring to her as a prostitute”.

Response from Landini

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments, Landini contended that there were “no sexist insults” directed at the Prime Minister and that he had used “Trump’s subordinate”.

Via a released message, he clarified: “In a 10-minute interview, readily accessible to all, to clarify any confusion or misuse of the expression, I promptly explained what I meant – that Meloni was on the coat tails of Trump, she was in Trump’s circle, she acted as Trump’s subordinate.”

Connection with the US President

Meloni has long nurtured amicable ties with President Trump. In a public address in Egypt, Trump addressed Meloni – the lone woman in attendance – and complimented her beauty. “In the US, it would be politically fatal,” he noted. “However, I will risk it. Is it alright if I state you are beautiful? Because you truly are beautiful.”

President Trump subsequently commended Meloni as “a role model for everyone” in reference to the English version of her work, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which contains a introduction by his son.

Earlier Controversies

In August, Meloni reacted strongly after finding out that altered images of Meloni and other prominent Italian women had been shared on a adult site, saying she was “disgusted”, and offering “unity and backing to every woman who have been offended, insulted and violated”.