Greta Thunberg: Moment climate activist scowls at Donald Trump at UN goes viral

Rebecca Speare-Cole24 September 2019

Greta Thunberg's scowling reaction as she briefly crossed paths with Donald Trump at the United Nations has gone viral.

In the video, Ms Thunberg can be seen fixing her eyes on Mr Trump with a steady stare as he walks in for a meeting on religious freedom in New York.

The moment, in which the US President appears to ignore the climate activist, has now gone viral and is being shared across social media as a GIF.

Mr Trump later posted a video to Twitter, showing the 16-year-old’s emotional statement which she gave to a panel at the UN climate summit.

In her address, Ms Thunberg had repeatedly asked world leaders: “How dare you?” as well as talking about “people suffering, people dying, entire ecosystems collapsing” and the fear of “mass extinction”.

But, Mr Trump added a mocking caption to the video saying: “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”

Many people have shared the GIF praising Ms Thunberg’s obvious disdain at the president and defended her against Mr Trump’s mockery.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg watches Donald Trump
REUTERS

One person shared the GIF saying: “very cool!” while Dan Hett wrote: “I directly draw my life force from @GretaThunberg’s burning hatred of Donald Trump.”

Aother user said: “And with that one look she speaks for so many million Europeans. (Probably a lot of people on other continents as well.)"

Another said: “Leaving the saving of our planet to our children is utterly unfair @GretaThunberg, you’re an inspiration.

“There are no excuses now. We owe the future generations a safe planet. The time for change is now.”

Colin Kahl, a former aid of Barack Obama, added: “I suspect Trump’s sarcasm won’t be enough to shield his fragile ego if and when Greta Thunberg wins the Nobel Peace Prize he so desperately covets.

“In the meantime, he should spend less time ridiculing kids and more time listening to their please to save the future.”

Many made light of the clip, finding Ms Thunberg’s thunderous stare incredibly amusing.

But others slammed the 16-year-old’s activism, claiming she is just a “political pawn” and should be in school.

One wrote: “She should be back in school, but her parents are choosing to allow her to be exploited as a political pawn."

Another said: “What was a 16 year old girl doing at the UN Climate Action Summit? Why would anyone want to listen to her?

“She's far too young to be a witness to what's going on in the world today.”

Kuh Lisa also wrote: “Thank you Mr President for not listening to a little girl who has no idea of anything she is talking about. This poor girl is just a puppet. Europe is going crazy because of her.”

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