Greta Thunberg has responded sharply to US President Donald Trump after he referred to her as a ‘troublemaker’ who has ‘an anger management problem’.
The 22-year-old climate activist was in the news recently after she and other pro-Palestinian activists were deported from Israel to Greece. This followed an interception by Israeli forces of the flotilla they were on.
The aim of their journey, according to the BBC, was to ‘break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people’.
Upon arriving at the Athens airport, Thunberg was welcomed with flowers and she told the press that the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) was ‘the biggest ever attempt to break Israel’s illegal and inhumane siege by sea’.
Following the news of Israel’s plan to deport Thunberg and others aboard the 42 GSF boats, Trump, aged 79, made his opinion known.
“She’s just a troublemaker… she’s no longer into the environment now,” remarked Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office.
“She’s a troublemaker, she has an anger management problem, I think she should see a doctor…
“Have you ever watched her? She’s a young person. She’s so angry, she’s so crazy… She’s just a troublemaker.”
Responding on Instagram, Thunberg wrote: “I heard Donald Trump once again has expressed his very flattering opinions on my character, and I appreciate his concerns for my mental health.
“To Trump: I would kindly receive any recommendations you might have to deal with these so-called ‘anger management problems’ since – judging by your impressive track record – you seem to be suffering from them too.”
This incident isn’t the first time Thunberg has received criticism from the Republican leader.
In 2019, Trump appeared to mock her following a passionate speech she delivered at a United Nations climate action summit.
Responding to a video of her speech, he tweeted: “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”
Thunberg then updated her Twitter bio to say ‘A very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future,’ before former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci criticized Trump.
“Parents in America and around the world: he went after a 16-year-old girl yesterday. @realDonaldTrump unfit to serve,” Scaramucci tweeted.
The same year, Trump also condemned TIME Magazine’s decision to name Thunberg as Person of the Year.
“So ridiculous,” he commented. “Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”
In response, Thunberg updated her bio to read: “A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend.”
In June, Trump revisited his ‘angry’ accusations, referring to her as a ‘strange’ person.
This comment was made after Thunberg claimed she had been ‘kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces’.
When asked if he had discussed Thunberg with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump remarked: “Well, [Thunberg is] a strange person.
“She’s a young, angry person. I don’t know if it’s real anger; it’s hard to believe, actually. But I saw what happened. She’s certainly different. Anger management. I think she has to go to an angry management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her.”
He further addressed the kidnapping claim, stating: “I find it—I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg. “Is that what she said? She was kidnapped by Israel?”