Donald Trump mocked Greta Thunberg for her failed attempt to reach Gaza on an aid flotilla, calling her a ‘troublemaker’ and suggesting she needs anger management.
Thunberg was detained by Israeli authorities and deported after joining an aid flotilla. The US president’s comments reflect ongoing tensions between Trump and the environmental activist, who have clashed online over the years.
Thunberg and Trump have sparred online for years, often throwing each other’s words back as counter-arguments.
In 2019, the US president ribbed the activist for her “anger management problem” after she was named Time’s Person of the Year. Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter (now X) biography to include: “A teenager working on her anger management problem.”
On Saturday, fellow activists and lawyers claimed that Thunberg, along with others, was subjected to “torture” and “harsh treatment” in an Israeli desert prison after their arrest.
West Jerusalem rejected the claims, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he was “proud” of the harsh conditions the activists were being held in.
The incident highlights continued diplomatic tensions over Israel’s treatment of foreign activists and the broader geopolitical implications of such actions.
Thunberg, who has long been a prominent figure in climate activism, was among over 400 activists detained by the Israeli navy. More than 130 of them were deported to Turkey, with Thunberg and others sent to Greece and Slovakia.
Trump’s comments echo previous verbal sparring between the two, including his 2019 jab about her ‘anger management problem’ following her Time’s Person of the Year designation.
The US president’s remarks underscore the complex interplay between American foreign policy and the global climate movement, as well as the challenges faced by activists seeking to engage with conflict zones.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government continues to assert its stance on security and sovereignty, dismissing allegations of mistreatment while maintaining its position in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The situation raises questions about the role of international pressure and the use of diplomatic channels to address humanitarian concerns in politically sensitive regions.
As the global spotlight remains on the Israel-Gaza conflict, the treatment of activists seeking to provide aid or raise awareness continues to be a point of contention among international actors and media outlets.