Greta Thunberg has responded after Donald Trump aimed a dig at her during an Oval Office speech in which he claimed she had 'anger management' issues and was a 'troublemaker'.
The US President and the 22-year-old activist have exchanged words in the past - and never on good terms - but this latest incident comes after Thunberg was deported from Israel to Greece for her participation in the flotilla, as she has also alleged that she was mistreated in Israeli custody.
Now, she has reponded to the president's comments.
Donald Trump takes aim at Greta Thunberg
Sitting in the Oval Office, Trump said that Thunberg is a ‘troublemaker’ and claimed that she is ‘no longer into the environment’.
Trump said: “She is just a troublemaker.
“You know, she is no longer into the environment, now she is a troublemaker.
“She has an anger management problem.
“I think she should see a doctor. If you ever watch her, for a young person, she’s so angry.
“She’s so crazy. You can have her.”
Thunberg responded in typical fashion
Greta hit back at the US president in her own inimitable style, writing: "I heard Donald Trump once again has expressed his very flattering opinions on my character, and I appreciate his concerns for my mental health.
"To Trump: 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."
Her fans were quick to respond, as one said she 'cooked him with elegance'.
Another added: "You’re clearly hitting a nerve - keep the pressure on!! Thank you for giving us hope for future generations!"
A third said: "She's younger than him and could eat him for breakfast."
Greta claims mistreatment in Israeli custody
Thunberg was among 437 activists, parliamentarians, doctors, lawyers and others aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was made up of more than 40 vessels carrying aid into Gaza in an attempted breach of Israel’s longstanding maritime blockage.
However, Thunberg was also among those arrested and allegations have since surfaced that she was mistreated in prison.
According to Sweden’s foreign ministry, which visited her in prison, the young woman reported dehydration, a rash she attributed to bedbugs, and prolonged confinement without adequate food or water.
“She informed of dehydration,” the embassy email reads, cited by The Guardian.
“She has received insufficient amounts of both water and food.
"She also stated that she had developed rashes which she suspects were caused by bedbugs.
"She spoke of harsh treatment and said she had been sitting for long periods on hard surfaces.”
Other detainees corroborated these claims as Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi told Reuters she saw Thunberg being shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag.
"It was a disaster. They treated us like animals," Helmi added.
Turkish participant Ersin Çelik described witnessing the young activist being “dragged by her hair, before our eyes," "beaten," and "forced to kiss the Israeli flag," adding: "They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others."
After returning to Istanbul, Lorenzo D’Agostino, a journalist aboard the flotilla, also said that Thunberg was “wrapped in the Israeli flag and paraded like a trophy.”
Israeli officials denied allegations
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the accusations as “complete lies,” insisting detainees were provided with food, water, toilets, and medical care, and were not denied legal counsel, The Independent reported.
"All detainees from the Hamas-Sumud provocation were given access to water, food and toilets; they were not denied access to legal counsel, and all their legal rights, including access to medical care, were fully upheld," they reportedly said, claiming: “Israel is and will remain a state governed by the rule of law, committed to upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals in accordance with international standards."
Court records published by Israeli media suggest Thunberg did not formally complain about mistreatment during her legal proceedings.
A tribunal transcript reportedly shows that she requested deportation to Sweden but expressed no allegations of abuse.