Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, 47, has become the latest high-profile victim of deepfake abuse, after fabricated and explicit images of her circulated on social media. In a bold move, Meloni has decided to personally pursue the case in court and is scheduled to testify against the accused on July 2.
According to international media reports, investigators revealed that two individuals – a 40-year-old man and his 73-year-old father – were behind the manipulation, digitally placing Meloni’s face onto explicit material and attempting to upload the fabricated videos to an adult website in the United States, where they were viewed by millions.
Police sources indicated that the deepfake content dates back to 2022, before Meloni assumed office as Prime Minister. Meloni has filed a defamation lawsuit demanding €100,000 in damages. Her legal team has confirmed that, if awarded, the entire sum will be donated to support women who have suffered from male violence.
Observers note that Meloni’s firm stance highlights the growing dangers of AI-generated deepfakes and their potential misuse against public figures. Her courageous step to testify in court is being viewed as a significant precedent in the global fight against digital exploitation and online harassment.
