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Giorgia Meloni has strongly condemned the chief of the country’s biggest trade union after the official labeled Meloni as the “courtesan” of former US President Donald Trump.

Background of the Disputed Comments

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, who heads Italy’s CGIL labor organization, issued the comment on a TV program on Tuesday. This came just after international leaders, Meloni among them, convened for a peace conference for the Middle East in Egypt.

Landini claimed the Prime Minister of “failing to act” to secure peace in Gaza, saying her involvement was limited to “serving as Trump’s courtesan”. Thankfully, the Italian citizens took to the street to defend the prestige and integrity of the nation,” he commented.

Prime Minister’s Reply

Via an online post on Thursday, Meloni remarked that the union chief was “evidently clouded by growing bitterness (that I comprehend)”. She went on to share a meaning of the word “courtesan”.

“I believe it is widely understood the primary definition attributed to this term, but, to help those who might not, I have posted the initial definition found through a brief online search,” Meloni said, attaching a capture that read: “Promiscuous woman, straight; polite expression, escort.”

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

Landini’s Clarification

Replying to the Prime Minister’s comments, the union leader maintained that there were “no sexist insults” toward the Prime Minister and that his use of “an underling to Trump”.

Through an official comment, he clarified: “During a brief interview, that is publicly available, to prevent misinterpretation or twisting of the words, I immediately clarified my intended meaning – that Meloni was trailing behind Trump, she was in Trump’s circle, she served as Trump’s underling.”

Meloni’s Relations with Trump

Meloni has consistently maintained friendly relations with President Trump. While addressing the audience in Egypt, the US President faced the Italian Prime Minister – the lone woman at the event – and called her “beautiful”. “Across America, this could be career-ending,” he noted. “Still, I am willing to chance it. May I comment that you’re beautiful? As you are indeed beautiful.”

President Trump afterwards lauded Meloni as “motivational to all” in regarding the English translation of her book, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles, which includes a foreword by Donald Trump Jr..

Earlier Controversies

During the summer, Meloni also hit back after learning that manipulated pictures of her and other prominent Italian women had been posted on a explicit platform, expressing her disgust, and showing “solidarity and support to the women who have been insulted, offended, and abused”.