Luigi Marattin, an Italian politician and secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party, recently came under fire for bodyshaming Antonio Esposito, a professional football player and songwriter from Matera, Italy. The feud escalated from Marattin's social media post questioning the victim count from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, where he made inflammatory comparisons between Palestinian authorities and Nazi SS. In response to Marattin's provocative comments, Esposito retaliated by calling him 'very ugly' as a personal insult, drawing attention to the insensitivity of bodyshaming in the political arena.

Esposito, known for his performance with the song 'Due Eroi' at Sanremo 2017, highlighted the implications of Marattin's remarks, stressing the indecency of attacking someone's appearance, especially when it is tied to a physical condition. This incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures regarding their conduct on social media, particularly in the context of sensitive issues like body image and personal attacks.

The backlash against Marattin not only underscores the problems of bodyshaming but also reflects the growing scrutiny of political figures who engage in harmful rhetoric. His eventual apology signifies a recognition of the impact such comments can have on individuals and potentially reinforces the need for greater accountability in political discourse. Through this incident, the political landscape in Italy is reminded of the importance of respectful dialogue and the consequences of derogatory remarks in public discussions.