The long-running clash between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg just took a fiery new turn — and the internet can’t stop talking about it.
After Trump took a jab at Thunberg, labeling the 22-year-old as “strange” and “too angry,” the young activist didn’t hold back. Her fierce response has sparked headlines and reignited their ongoing feud.
Thunberg, who’s no stranger to controversy, is once again at the center of global attention. On June 10, she was deported from Israel after being detained at sea by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to Thunberg, she and 11 fellow activists were “kidnapped in international waters” — a claim Israeli authorities strongly deny. Officials dismissed the mission as a “selfie yacht stunt,” accusing the group of staging a media spectacle rather than a genuine relief effort.
In a video posted to Instagram shortly after the incident, Thunberg said:
“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces — or forces that support Israel.”
Later that day, Trump was asked during a press conference whether he had discussed Thunberg with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent call. His answer?
“She’s a young, angry person.”
But if Trump thought that would be the final word, he underestimated Greta — and her growing global platform. Her reply lit up social media, proving once again that when it comes to speaking truth to power, Greta Thunberg doesn’t miss a beat.
Trump Mocks Greta Thunberg — Her Comeback? Absolutely Blistering
The war of words between Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg has flared up once again — and this time, it’s personal.
Asked about Thunberg’s recent detention by Israeli forces, Trump didn’t hold back.
“She’s a strange person,” he told reporters. “She’s a young, angry person. I don’t know if it’s real anger — it’s hard to believe, actually.”
But the former president didn’t stop there.
“I saw what happened. She’s certainly different. Anger management. I think she’s got to go to anger management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her.”
Trump also scoffed at Thunberg’s claim of being kidnapped at sea by Israeli forces.
“I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.”
Greta Strikes Back
While many criticized Trump for targeting Thunberg personally instead of addressing the broader issue, few were surprised by his tone. Still, the 22-year-old climate activist didn’t let his remarks go unanswered.
After her deportation from Israel, Thunberg stopped briefly in France, where reporters pressed her about Trump’s comments.
Her response? Calm, direct, and devastating.
“Well, I think the world needs a lot more young, angry women, to be honest — especially with everything going on right now. That’s the thing we need the most.”
On the question of whether she illegally entered Israel, Thunberg was unequivocal:
“I did not recognize that I entered the country illegally. I made it very clear in my testimony — we were kidnapped in international waters and brought there against our will.”
A Mission of Solidarity
Thunberg had been sailing with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a humanitarian group attempting to deliver aid and spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On board with her were several high-profile figures, including:
- Rima Hassan, Member of the European Parliament
- Yanis Mhamdi, journalist
- Omar Faiad, Al Jazeera presenter
- FFC organizers Yasemin Acar and Thiago Ávila
“This was a mission to bring aid to Gaza, which is desperately needed,” Thunberg explained. “But also to send a message of solidarity — to say: we see you, we see what’s happening, and we refuse to stay silent.”
She didn’t hold back on the severity of the situation:
“Right now, it’s more important than ever — because of the siege, the systematic starvation of over two million people, and a full-blown, live-streamed genocide.”
Israeli officials continue to deny all allegations of genocide and have dismissed the mission as a political stunt.