Donald Trump suggests Greta Thunberg take anger management class, calls her ‘strange’

US President Donald Trump on Monday referred to climate activist Greta Thunberg as an “angry young person” while commenting on reports of her abduction by Israel. Thunberg, along with 12 other activists, was aboard an aid vessel blocked from entering Gaza.

Speaking to journalists, Trump was asked what message he had for Thunberg, given that she had been kidnapped by Israeli forces.

In response, Trump said, “She’s a strange person. She’s a young, angry person. I don’t know if it’s real anger, it’s hard to believe.”

He continued, “She’s certainly different,” and went on to suggest, “She needs to take an anger management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her.”

When asked whether it was true that Thunberg had been kidnapped by Israel, Trump replied, “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.”

Read: Greta Thunberg faces death threats as she sails for Gaza on aid ship

He later sought clarification, asking the reporter, “Is it true that she said she was kidnapped by Israel?” When the reporter confirmed, Trump simply shook his head.

Thunberg and Trump have previously clashed. In 2019, during the UN General Assembly, a video of Thunberg glaring at Trump as he entered the hall went viral.

As the Madleen ship carrying 12 international activists, including Greta Thunberg, neared Gaza, Israeli army forces intercepted and seized the vessel late at night on Sunday in international waters, cutting off all communications. The crew were forcibly taken to an Israeli port.

Check: Israel to deport Madleen ship activists after confiscating their aid for Gaza

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that 12 crew members of the Madleen ship, which was intercepted and blocked from delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, are currently being held at the detention facility of Ben Gurion International Airport. They will be deported if they agree to sign the necessary documents.