The war of words escalated as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States next week, describing President Donald Trump’s comments as offensive not only to PM Giorgia Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.

‘Astonished’ Meloni rebuffs Trump’s G7 photo ‘begging’ story, calls it ‘completely made up’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted one such image appearing to show her sitting on a bed in lingerie. The AI-generated image showing her dressed in lingerie prompted a wave of condemnation from users who believed it to be genuine.

‘Verify, think before sharing,’ says Giorgia Meloni after her AI-made image in lingerie goes viral

Iran-US war: Donald Trump is now at loggerheads with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He said that she lacked courage and wanted America to do the job for her. Meloni has slammed Trump for criticising the Pope and his decisions on the Iran war. 

Trump's latest tussle is with Meloni, says 'she is the one who is unacceptable'

In a lighthearted response to the controversy, Meloni addressed the situation on Instagram by sharing an image of the restored fresco with the caption: “No, decidedly I do not resemble an angel.”

'I’m no angel,' says Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni amid church fresco controversy

Italy has been invited to join the “Board of Peace”, but Meloni said she had informed Trump that the country faces “constitutional constraints”.

Meloni hopes to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize if he achieves lasting peace in Ukraine

The summit, hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was held to mark the signing of the peace deal in Gaza. 

‘Plot twist no one asked for’: Meloni’s viral expressions at Gaza peace summit sparks buzz online | WATCH

From Donald Trump calling Italian PM Meloni a ‘beautiful woman’ to former Finnish PM Marin being slammed for partying, global politics has a long history of casual sexism. WION’s Akul Baiju examines this ecosystem of misogyny.

Not just a ‘beautiful’ face: Global polity has a big sexism problem