Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump—two names that have long sparked heated debates on climate change, activism, and global politics—are once again at the center of a public spat. The latest episode unfolded after the 22-year-old Swedish climate activist was detained and deported by Israeli authorities for her participation in a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza. In the aftermath, U.S. President Donald Trump reignited their long-running feud by labeling Thunberg "angry," "crazy," and a "troublemaker," and suggesting she suffers from "anger management problems" that require medical attention. Thunberg, never one to shy away from confrontation, fired back with characteristic wit and defiance, turning the tables on the American president and prompting a new wave of international attention.
The chain of events began in early October 2025, when Thunberg joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a 42-boat convoy aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. As reported by Al Jazeera and NDTV, the flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on October 3, 2025, resulting in the detention of approximately 450 participants, including Thunberg, four French lawmakers, and other international activists. Israel claimed that the boats carried no aid, accusing the activists of seeking "provocation in the service of Hamas," and released documents purporting to show direct Hamas involvement in organizing and financing the mission.
Following her detention, Thunberg and 160 other campaigners were deported to Greece, arriving at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport on October 7, 2025. As they disembarked, supporters greeted them with chants of "Free free Palestine!" according to AP and Al Jazeera. Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that a total of 171 activists from the flotilla were expelled on that day, with deportees hailing from countries across Europe and North America.
At a press conference in Athens, Thunberg didn’t mince words. She denounced what she described as the "genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza and called on world leaders and ordinary citizens alike to end their "complicity" in the ongoing suffering. "That this mission has to exist, it's a shame! It is a shame! I could talk for a very, very long time about our mistreatment and abuses in our imprisonment, trust me, but that is not the story," she told journalists, as reported by AP. Her remarks came just before the second anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that has left tens of thousands dead in Gaza and continues to draw international condemnation and debate.
Israeli authorities, for their part, have categorically denied all allegations of mistreatment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described reports of abuse as "brazen lies," insisting that "all the detainees' legal rights are fully upheld." The ministry also maintained that the flotilla’s "true goal was provocation in the service of Hamas," and not the delivery of humanitarian relief. The blockade of Gaza, imposed by Israel and Egypt since 2007, has been a flashpoint for repeated attempts by activists to challenge the restrictions, often resulting in high-profile confrontations.
Enter Donald Trump, who seized on Thunberg’s detention to renew his criticism of the young activist. Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office on October 7, 2025, the U.S. president remarked, "She’s just a troublemaker. She’s no longer into the environment now. 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." Trump went on to say, "If you ever watch her, for a young person, she's so angry and crazy. You can have her." He also suggested, "I think she has to go to an angry management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her." These comments echoed his earlier jibes at Thunberg, dating back to her impassioned 2019 speech at the United Nations, when he sarcastically called her a "very happy young girl."
Thunberg’s response came swiftly and with a characteristic blend of irony and resolve. Posting on Instagram, she wrote, "I hear Donald Trump has once again expressed his flattering opinions on my character, and I appreciate his concern for my mental health." She added, "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." The exchange, widely covered by BBC, NDTV, and other outlets, quickly went viral, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on social media.
While the personal feud between Thunberg and Trump has become something of a recurring spectacle, it also reflects deeper divisions over climate activism, humanitarian intervention, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thunberg, who rose to global prominence in 2018 with her "Fridays for Future" school strike movement, has increasingly broadened her activism to include humanitarian causes, particularly those related to Gaza. Her willingness to confront world leaders—and to endure detention and deportation—has only solidified her reputation as a fearless advocate for the causes she champions.
Trump, on the other hand, has used his platform to cast doubt on Thunberg's motives and mental health, framing her activism as misguided and disruptive. His remarks have found resonance among those skeptical of climate activism or critical of interventions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, for many, his comments have come across as dismissive and even mean-spirited, fueling further debate about the tone and substance of political discourse in the United States and beyond.
In the background, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza continue. On October 7, 2025, delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States were scheduled to meet in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh for indirect negotiations on a 20-point U.S. peace proposal. According to Al Jazeera, the talks—coming on the eve of the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks that triggered the current war—have raised cautious hopes that the prolonged conflict might finally move toward resolution. President Trump himself noted, "Qatar has been very, very helpful to us in this process... I think it's probably the most influential and very strong. With Hamas, they're very strong. And Turkey has likewise been helpful. I mean, honestly, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, everybody has been helpful. I just spoke with the King of Jordan today, and he's been terrific too. I can't think of any country is it that's been negative about this. This is why it should happen. I mean, everybody wants it to happen. And usually when everybody, including I think Hamas, and when they want it to happen, it's going to happen."
As the world watches the unfolding drama between Thunberg and Trump, and as negotiations over Gaza’s future continue, the episode serves as a reminder of the power of personality in shaping public debates—and the enduring challenges of finding common ground in a divided world.
