Greta Thunberg Stares Down Donald Trump As President Accused Of Sleeping Through Climate Summit

Yesterday saw a bit of a stand-off between climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg and US President Donald Trump, who were both in New York for the UN Climate Action Summit - with the teenager seen glowering at the president as he walked past, before he addressed the media.

While Trump did come along to the summit, he actually only sat through a short speech by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meaning he missed Thunberg's heartfelt speech.

Sitting in the audience, he could be seen wearing headphones to listen along, his eyes closed - at which point many people accused him of 'falling asleep'.

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One person tweeted: "Please note how Trump tried to intimidate @GretaThunberg by walking into the Climate Change session, sleeping and then leaving after 15 minutes. His behavior was boorish, totally unbefitting for an American president. trump was childish."

Referring to Trump's behaviour, someone else wrote: "How about his antics at the #ClimateChange #UnitedNations? Attempts to upstage a teenager, falling asleep, leaves after 15 minutes."

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The biggest talking point from the day was Thunberg's incredible speech.

Scolding world leaders, Thunberg had told the room: "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 for hope. How dare you.

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.

"There will not be any solution or plans in line with these figures here today because these numbers are too uncomfortable and you're not mature enough to tell it like it is.

"You are failing us. The young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you.

"Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up and change is coming whether you like it or not."

Her angry words soon went viral, with people across the globe showing their support.

But while Trump hadn't been around to hear her words in person, he had his say later - sharing a clip of her speaking and writing sarcastically: "She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!"

Topics: Greta Thunberg, World News, News, Donald Trump

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman