Donald Trump Jr. slams TIME for choosing Greta Thunberg as Person of the Year
Donald Trump Jr. has hit out at TIME for choosing the teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg, as their Person of the Year.
The son of the POTUS suggested that the pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong should have been given the honour instead. "Time leaves out the Hong Kong Protesters fighting for their lives and freedoms to push a teen being used as a marketing gimmick," he wrote on Twitter, adding "How dare you?"
Watch as Greta Thunberg rebukes world leaders:
The phrase "How dare you?" appears to mock Thunberg's emotional speech at the United Nations back in September, where she infamously asked world leaders the same question.
During the address, the 16-year-old condemned world leaders for not doing enough to combat climate change, dubbing it a "betrayal" of young people.
The teenager told governments that "You are still not mature enough to tell it like it is. You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal."
"This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you?" she continued.
"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing. And if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line."
Per The Hill, Time's editor-in-chief, Edward Felsenthal, described Thunberg as "the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet".
But while Trump Jr. criticised the publication's choice, other notable figures were quick to congratulate Thunberg, who is the youngest person to be named Person of the Year.
"I couldn't think of a better Person of the Year than @GretaThunberg. I am grateful for all she's done to raise awareness of the climate crisis and her willingness to tell hard, motivating truths," tweeted Hilary Clinton.
"As she said today: "Change is coming, whether you like it or not." #gutsywomen"