In a tense live broadcast that has since gone viral, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a blistering takedown of climate activist Greta Thunberg’s latest mission—joining a ship bound for Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade. Thunberg, accompanied by far-left French MP Rima Hassan and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, claims she’s heading to deliver humanitarian aid and “fight for a free Palestine.”

But according to Leavitt, this is no noble cause—it’s performance art with geopolitical consequences.

“This is not a rescue mission,” Leavitt said, her tone steely and unwavering. “It’s a red carpet stunt for the radical left, staged in the middle of a powder keg. And when it explodes—because it will—they’ll pretend they had no idea what could go wrong.”

The press secretary’s comments, made during a surprise appearance on a conservative morning show, have ignited a political firestorm, with critics accusing her of downplaying the suffering in Gaza and supporters praising her for “calling out the circus.”

A Mission Drenched in Drama

Greta Thunberg’s voyage is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group known for its provocative efforts to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza, often under the banner of humanitarian aid. The vessel reportedly carries medical supplies and food intended for civilians in the war-ravaged enclave.

But Israeli officials have warned the flotilla will not be allowed to dock. And now, with Thunberg aboard, the situation has taken on a celebrity-like sheen—one that Karoline Leavitt believes is dangerously misleading.

“She’s being paraded like Joan of Arc on a catamaran,” Leavitt said. “And the people behind this know exactly what they’re doing. It’s a PR trap designed to provoke a response from Israel. The left wants a spectacle—they want confrontation. And if something goes wrong, they’ll have their next martyr.”

A Calculated Shift

Thunberg’s journey to Gaza represents a dramatic evolution in her public image. Once known for her laser focus on climate change, she has increasingly embraced broader political causes—from Indigenous rights to anti-capitalist rhetoric to, now, the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“She used to fight to save the planet,” Leavitt quipped during the segment. “Now she’s picking fights in the middle of one of the world’s longest-running and most dangerous conflicts.”

That sentiment is echoed across social media, where opinions on Thunberg’s activism are sharply divided. Her supporters see her as a fearless advocate for human rights. Her detractors view her as a naive figure being exploited by political extremists for global attention.

Adding to the controversy is Thunberg’s shipmates—Rima Hassan, a far-left French parliamentarian known for anti-Israel rhetoric, and Liam Cunningham, an actor who has repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes. The trio’s presence aboard the same vessel has only amplified accusations that the flotilla is more symbolic theater than genuine humanitarian effort.

Leavitt’s Warning: “You Have No Idea What This Could Spark”

In the most dramatic portion of her live segment, Leavitt raised the stakes by warning that Thunberg’s voyage could have ripple effects far beyond Gaza.

“What if the IDF intercepts the boat? What if there’s an altercation on the water? What if something happens to her?” Leavitt asked. “The left wants a showdown. They want images of soldiers boarding a boat with cameras rolling. They want outrage. But that outrage can spiral into something far more dangerous—escalation, retaliation, chaos.”

According to Leavitt, the White House has “serious concerns” about the international fallout if Thunberg’s mission ends in confrontation, injury, or worse.

“This is reckless, and it’s political gasoline being thrown on an already raging fire,” she concluded. “This isn’t about peace or aid. It’s about optics, and no one’s talking about the cost.”

Mixed Reactions, Explosive Reach

In the hours following Leavitt’s comments, the internet erupted. Some conservative voices hailed her as the only one willing to “speak plainly” about what they see as a manipulated activist being used to spark anti-Israel sentiment.

“She’s not wrong,” posted one popular political commentator. “If this boat is stopped by Israel, they’ll cry war crimes. If it isn’t, they’ll spin it into a victory lap. Either way—it’s a trap.”

Meanwhile, progressive figures accused Leavitt of using scare tactics to demonize activists. “Karoline Leavitt is suggesting that a girl delivering food is a national threat,” tweeted one liberal pundit. “That says more about her administration than it does about Greta.”

As for Thunberg, she has remained silent amid the growing storm, choosing instead to share videos of the voyage and posts about Palestinian suffering. Whether her mission ends in success, arrest, or worse, one thing is certain: she’s not just sailing into Gaza—she’s sailing into the eye of a global storm.