Culture
07 Jan 20

Greta Thunberg responds to Meat Loaf's comment that she is "brainwashed" into believing climate change

The environmental activist wrote that climate change is about facts and a lack of awareness. Meat Loaf has since asserted that his comments were misquotes taken out of context.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has responded to Meat Loaf's claims that she has been "brainwashed" into believing in climate change.

"I feel for that Greta. She has been brainwashed into thinking that there's climate change and there isn't," the singer was quoted in a recent interview with the Daily Mail. "She hasn't done anything wrong but she's been forced into thinking what she is saying is true."

Thunberg addressed Meat Loaf's comment in a tweet, writing that the issue of climate change is not about Meat Loaf, herself or what people say about her. "It's all about scientific facts," she wrote. "And that we're not aware of the situation. Unless we start to focus everything on this, our targets will soon be out of reach."

It’s not about Meatloaf.
It’s not about me.
It’s not about what some people call me.
It’s not about left or right.

It’s all about scientific facts.
And that we’re not aware of the situation.
Unless we start to focus everything on this, our targets will soon be out of reach. https://t.co/UwyoSnLiK2

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 6, 2020

Thunberg, 17, inspired international protests, like the widespread Global Climate Strike, by protesting alone outside Swedish Parliament in 2018. She has since become a symbol for environmental activism and was named TIME's 2019 Person of the Year, but has also been criticized by other high-profile figures such as Donald Trump.

Since Meat Loaf's interview was published on January 1, the singer has taken to Facebook to assert that his comments about Thunberg were misquotes and taken out of context. He wrote on Sunday, "I talked about her being 13 and sent out on stage. Yes and brainwashed. I believe in Climate Change, but not the people that say the world is coming to an end in 8 years. WOW! I will never say another word to the press." He also updated the post to clarify he falsely believed that Thunberg was 13, not 17.

Meat Loaf further expressed his frustration this morning, posting that he was "attacked for something in the press that was a complete misquote." He added, "This is over the top and I am done with this BS."

Thunberg has not responded to Meat Loaf's recent posts.