Since her arrival on the world stage, 16 year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has faced derision. Mocking criticism has been aimed at Thunberg's appearance, mannerisms, facial expressions, speech patterns, intelligence, mental health and her self-disclosed Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis with the majority coming from conservative men.
On Monday, in a late-night tweet, President Donald Trump decided to similarly weigh in on Thunberg. In an example of the cyber bullying First Lady Melania Trump's Be Best campaign is supposed to address, the 73 year-old President of the United States shared video of an impassioned speech Thunberg delivered at the U.N. calling out world leaders' inaction on the climate with the caption:
"She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!"
She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see! https://t.co/1tQG6QcVKO— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1569296172.0
Alone it sounds like a nice sentiment, but paired with the video of a visibly upset Thunberg the intent to mock is clear.
But it was Greta herself who got the last laugh with a subtle dig at the President's tweet contained in her updated Twitter bio:
"A very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future."
Greta claps back – subtly, of course – in her Twitter bio https://t.co/VrR6kvvzeV— Lauren Gambino (@Lauren Gambino) 1569339287.0
And people were so here for it.
@laurenegambino WAY TO GO @GretaThunberg. GOOD on you for standing up to BULLIES. 👍👍🏆— CALL: 202-224-3121 (@CALL: 202-224-3121) 1569341829.0
@laurenegambino @hunterw That’s how it’s done— lights out (@lights out) 1569339626.0
@laurenegambino @HGTomato Good for you @GretaThunberg That's my girl! https://t.co/owa2AgeW0F— Daniel Chestnut (@Daniel Chestnut) 1569339702.0
As for Trump's initial attempt at humor, the Good God Above thought Trump should look in a mirror before criticizing others' attitudes.
@realDonaldTrump All you do is complain. All day, everyday, about nonsense. Demented Donald, you are the most mis… https://t.co/ubVBuVezh6— God (@God) 1569310712.0
While others commented on the lowered expectations Trump instilled for the POTUS.
@realDonaldTrump Let’s be clear. The President of the United States is ridiculing a 16-year-old child because she… https://t.co/XWZ6Ec3kMS— Merrill⭐️ (@Merrill⭐️) 1569303878.0
@realDonaldTrump If it was any other POTUS, we might think your acct had been hacked. Not w/ you! 1 MILLION animal… https://t.co/Tf3yERzl8U— Sally Deal (@Sally Deal) 1569301400.0
Others asked why so many adult men are so upset about Greta Thunberg.
@lexialex/Twitter
Some thought petty jealousy might be a factor for at least one older man attacking Thunberg.
@realDonaldTrump And she's gonna win a Nobel Prize. Unlike elections and Republicans, those can't be bought.— John Pavlovitz (@John Pavlovitz) 1569321941.0
@realDonaldTrump I hope #GretaThurnberg does indeed receive a much deserved #NobelPeacePrize. She is a shining ligh… https://t.co/ebRov0Lfmr— Jo Savage 🆘🇺🇸 #VoteBlue2020 (@Jo Savage 🆘🇺🇸 #VoteBlue2020) 1569326045.0
@realDonaldTrump While you mock her, she's drawing far bigger crowds than you could ever hope to. #BeBest— Arlo Walker (@Arlo Walker) 1569311637.0
Many had responses directed at the President.
@AynRandPaulRyan/Twitter
@realDonaldTrump Hey, @FLOTUS, is this what you meant when you said #BeBest? Your husband is mocking a 16-year-old… https://t.co/5LtCSpgrGR— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@Holly Figueroa O'Reilly) 1569329180.0
The President was not the only Trump to face backlash over conservative cyberbullying of Thunberg.
Over the past few years, Melania trump has masqueraded as an anti-bullying, "Be Best" advocate. In the past few da… https://t.co/f04FxWVYzd— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1569289539.0
@mmpadellan @FLOTUS is silent on her goombas attacking a 16 year old activist with Aspergers. #BeBestIsAJoke— Patti Coppersmith (@Patti Coppersmith) 1569291546.0
@mmpadellan @weaveswighard Today..... https://t.co/8gZKf7H0RU— Mystery Solvent (@Mystery Solvent) 1569289980.0
The FLOTUS' pet project made many of the mentions of her husband mocking Thunberg.
The president of the United States is smugly mocking a 16 year old girl. On a personal level. Wow. Just.. wow.… https://t.co/sBXXGrCrOd— Ed Solomon (@Ed Solomon) 1569303540.0
The sitting President of the United States is gleefully cyber-bullying a 16 year-old girl with aspergers because sh… https://t.co/6CcL9ZawJc— Translate Trump (@Translate Trump) 1569324583.0
Unlike many of the adults attacking her, Thunberg has handled their insults and false accusations with grace.
When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re wi… https://t.co/0LHxi6ZUa4— Greta Thunberg (@Greta Thunberg) 1567287890.0
I'm not public about my diagnosis to "hide" behind it, but because I know many ignorant people still see it as an "… https://t.co/to0ewhZIei— Greta Thunberg (@Greta Thunberg) 1567287999.0
Before I started school striking I had no energy, no friends and I didn’t speak to anyone. I just sat alone at home… https://t.co/6yxkDTTQmf— Greta Thunberg (@Greta Thunberg) 1567288073.0
@GretaThunberg Exactly. You keep on doing what you are doing! ❤️ PS Most haters seem to be bots and trolls anyway. https://t.co/AJfIL07CZz— Indy 🆘 (@Indy 🆘) 1569310552.0
The President nor First Lady has responded to the backlash created by Trump's Twitter attack on Thunberg.
Show your support for Thunberg and other young climate activists with this shirt available here.
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