On June 10, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the recent incident involving international climate activist Greta Thunberg, who alleged that she was “kidnapped” by Israeli military forces while aboard a boat bound for Gaza. The vessel, known as the Madleen and operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carried Thunberg and eleven other activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians impacted by Israel’s ongoing maritime blockade.
Thunberg, aged 22, issued a pre‑recorded video in which she described the interception and boarding as a form of “kidnapping” in international waters, accusing the Israeli military of detaining them without justification. “If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces…,” she pleaded, urging global pressure on Sweden’s government to intervene.
Following the boarding, Israeli authorities escorted Thunberg and her companions to Ashdod Port before deporting them. The activists were subsequently flown to their respective home countries under safe and secure conditions, Israeli officials reported. The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla’s efforts as a “selfie yacht” stunt, denying any mistreatment and emphasizing that the group was provided with water and sandwiches during detention.
Shortly after news of the incident spread, Donald Trump weighed in with his typically blunt commentary. Speaking to reporters during a roundtable at the White House, he branded Thunberg as “strange” and “a young, angry person,” questioning whether her anger was genuine. Trump further suggested that the activist attend anger‑management classes. “Anger management—she has to go to an anger‑management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her,” he said.
He also dismissed Thunberg’s “kidnapping” claim, quipping, “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg,” according to Reuters. Trump’s remarks echo his earlier criticisms of Thunberg dating back to 2019, when she was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. At that time, he jokingly recommended that she “work on her anger management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend,” advice that Thunberg humorously echoed years later by updating her Twitter bio .
Trump’s commentary continues a long‑standing pattern of dismissing Thunberg, fueled by his famous online rivalry with her during her rise to international prominence. Back then, Thunberg had sharply rebuked world leaders at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit—remarks many interpreted as aimed at Trump. He responded by praising her as “a very happy young girl,” albeit with the caveat that she needs to “chill”.
The latest clash highlights deeper tensions between Israel’s security concerns, Sweden’s diplomatic involvement, and the visibility of high‑profile activism at sea. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition maintains it was delivering symbolic aid—baby formula, flour, and other essentials—to Gaza under international humanitarian obligations. Israel, however, insists it acted within the bounds of its established blockade, a policy implemented to restrict potential arms smuggling to Hamas since 2007.
As the incident unfolds, several broader implications emerge. Firstly, it underscores the way modern activism intersects with geopolitics—especially when involving public figures like Thunberg. Secondly, it illustrates how former U.S. leaders such as Trump continue to wield influence on pressed‑release narratives, often downplaying human rights claims with dismissive rhetoric. Finally, it reinforces the ongoing polarized debate over Gaza—a region caught between humanitarian outcry and security rationales.
