First lady supports attack on Thunberg

Melania Trump has appeared to condone her husband’s criticism of teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, saying through a spokeswoman that her 13-yearold son, Barron, is in a different category than someone ‘‘who travels the globe giving speeches’’.

‘‘He is a 13-year-old who wants and deserves privacy,’’ spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in an emailed statement the day after President Donald Trump lashed out at Thunberg because Time magazine had named her ‘‘Person of the Year’’.

The first lady’s apparent acceptance of her husband’s actions stood in contrast to the work she is doing through her ‘‘Be Best’’ initiative to combat online bullying and teach children to be kind.

The president tweeted on Friday that ‘‘Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend!’’. He said it was ‘‘ridiculous’’ that Time had chosen her for the honour.

He mocked Thunberg, who has Asperger’s syndrome, a week after his wife criticised Stanford University law professor Pamela Karlan for mentioning Barron during her testimony at a House judiciary committee impeachment hearing. Karlan apologised for the comment.

After Trump’s tweet, Thunberg changed her Twitter biography to read: ‘‘A teenager working on her anger management problem.’’

Former vice-president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden chastised Trump, asking: ‘‘What kind of president bullies a teenager? @realDonaldTrump, you could learn a few things from Greta on what it means to be a leader.’’

Grisham said the first lady would continue to use ‘‘Be Best’’ to help children. ‘‘It is no secret that the president and first lady often communicate differently – as most married couples do.’’

Former first lady Michelle Obama yesterday encouraged Thunberg, saying: ‘‘Don’t let anyone dim your light.’’

‘‘You have so much to offer us all,’’ she wrote on Twitter. ‘‘Ignore the doubters and know that millions of people are cheering you on.’’