Italian PM Meloni condemns union chief's controversial ‘Trump’s courtesan’ remark

Meloni condemns Landini’s remark

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticised Maurizio Landini, the head of Italy’s largest trade union CGIL, after he referred to her as the “courtesan” of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Landini made the comments during a television interview on Tuesday, the day after world leaders, including Meloni, gathered in Egypt’s Sharm-el-Sheikh for a West Asia peace summit led by Trump.

Landini accused Meloni of failing to act to bring peace to Gaza, claiming her role was limited to “playing Trump’s courtesan.” He added: “Fortunately, the Italian citizens took to the street to defend the dignity and honour of this country,” according to the Guardian.

Reacting to the comments, Meloni highlighted Landini’s history of organising pro-Palestinian protests in Italy and suggested his remarks were motivated by resentment. She shared a screenshot of the dictionary definition of “courtesan,” which read: “Woman of easy virtue, heterosexual; euphemism, prostitute.”

“I think everyone knows the most common meaning attributed to this word, but, for the benefit of those who might not, I’m publishing the first definition found through a quick internet search,” Meloni said. She also criticised left-wing opponents, claiming they attacked her as a woman by “calling her a prostitute” despite having “lectured us on respect for women” for decades.

Il segretario generale della CGIL, Maurizio Landini, evidentemente obnubilato da un rancore montante (che comprendo), mi definisce in televisione una “cortigiana”.Penso che tutti conoscano il significato più comune attribuito a questa parola, ma, a beneficio di chi non lo… pic.twitter.com/JS51GN7Yn9

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 16, 2025

Landini responded, insisting his comments were not sexist and were intended to describe Meloni as “Trump’s lackey.”

“In a 10-minute interview, which anyone can easily rewatch, to avoid any misunderstanding or exploitation of the term used, I immediately clarified what I meant – that Meloni was on the coat tails of Trump, she was at Trump’s court, she was Trump’s lackey,” he said.

During the summit in Egypt, Trump turned to Meloni, the only female leader present, and called her “beautiful.” Addressing the audience, he said: “In the United States, it would be the end of your political career. But I’ll take the risk. Do you mind if I say you’re beautiful? Because you truly are beautiful.”

The 79-year-old, who has been married three times, acknowledged the potential for his comments to be seen as sexist. “I’m not allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say it — she’s a beautiful young woman,” he said.

Turning to Meloni, Trump added: “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are.” He also praised her politically, describing her as “incredible” and noting: “And they really respect her in Italy. She’s a very successful politician.”