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The Italian Prime Minister has sharply criticized the leader of Italy’s largest labor union after he labeled her as “the courtesan” of ex-President Donald Trump.

Context of the Disputed Remarks

Maurizio Landini, the head of the CGIL union, made the statement in a televised interview on Tuesday. This followed global figures, including Meloni, participated in a summit on Middle East peace in Egypt.

The union leader asserted Meloni of “failing to act” to advance peace in Gaza, stating her participation was limited to “acting as Trump’s courtesan”. “Fortunately, citizens of Italy demonstrated to protect the honor and dignity of Italy,” he commented.

Official Reaction

On her social media accounts on Thursday, the Prime Minister declared that Landini was clearly blinded by increasing animosity (which I can understand)”. She then post a meaning of the expression “courtesan”.

“I believe everyone knows the most common meaning given to this term, but, to assist those who might not, I have posted the initial definition obtained from a simple web search,” Meloni said, providing a image that read: “Woman of loose morals, straight; substitute term, escort.”

She also criticized her leftwing opponents, noting that for decades they had admonished us on respect for women” only to then disparage a woman by “referring to her as a prostitute”.

Response from Landini

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments, Landini argued that there were “no misogynistic remarks” directed at the Prime Minister and that the term was meant to imply “Trump’s subordinate”.

In a statement, he said: “During a brief 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 following Trump’s lead, she was in Trump’s circle, she acted as Trump’s subordinate.”

Ties Between Meloni and Trump

The Italian leader has consistently maintained amicable ties with the American leader. During a speech during the Middle East event, the US President addressed the Italian Prime Minister – the only woman at the event – and called her “beautiful”. “In the US, it would be career-ending,” he remarked. “However, I will risk it. May I comment that you’re beautiful? Because you truly are beautiful.”

Trump later praised Meloni as “motivational to all” in reference to the English translation of her book, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which includes a preface by his son.

Earlier Controversies

In August, the Prime Minister responded firmly after discovering that manipulated pictures of Meloni and other well-known Italian females had been uploaded to a explicit platform, stating she felt revulsion, and offering “unity and backing to the women who have been insulted, offended, and abused”.