Donald Trump Jr slams Time magazine for naming Greta Thunberg 2019 Person of the Year: 'How dare you?'
President Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, denounced Time magazine on Wednesday for choosing teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg as their 2019 Person of the Year. The Republican said that the 16-year-old climate crusader was being used as a "marketing gimmick," and slammed the magazine for failing to honor "the Hong Kong Protesters fighting for their lives and freedoms."
Trump Jr, taking a swipe at Thunberg's iconic dialogue from the UN meeting earlier this year, also wrote: "How dare you?" questioning Time's selection this year. Thunberg, who rose to popularity through her weekly Friday protest outside the Swedish parliament a year ago, became the youngest person to receive the title in Time's 92-year history. She inspired millions of people across the world to take to the streets in an effort to demand an emergency action on climate change from their governments.
The Swedish teen was recognized by the magazine for her fearless efforts of raising global awareness about climate change. She was reportedly chosen from Time's five finalists, which included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), President Donald Trump, the anonymous whistleblower who lodged an official complaint about Trump's July 25 call to Ukraine President, leading to an impeachment inquiry against the president, and the anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong protests have been ongoing since March this year, and were sparked by an extradition bill which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China to face trials. The protesters considered the bill, which has now been suspended, as a threat to the autonomy of Hong Kong.
Not just Trump Jr., multiple other conservative organizations also criticized the magazine's choice of choosing Thunberg over the protesters. The Federalist reportedly argued that the Swedish teenager did not deserve the honor as she "sticks to challenges with less risk, like speaking to groups of people who entirely agree with her." While Townhall wished Time “would have rethought their decision.”
Thunberg, at the UN conference earlier this year, had addressed world leaders, including Trump, and slammed them for their inaction towards climate change. "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? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words," the teen said.