Mary Robinson labels Donald Trump 'stupid' and a 'bully'

Former president of Ireland and UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson also said Mr Trump is complicit in the famine and genocide in Gaza. File picture: Maxwells

Former Irish president and UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson has labelled Donald Trump “stupid” and a “bully” who is complicit in the famine and genocide in Gaza.

In a no-holds-barred TV interview, she condemned the US president’s stance on climate change.

She also urged him to end Israel's war on Gaza, which she said he is “largely responsible for”.

She was asked a series of questions after Mr Trump’s controversial and scathing hour-long address to the UN, in which he told European countries they are all “going to hell”.

He also said Europe — which is being “devastated” by [green] energy and immigration — was “on the brink of destruction because of the green energy agenda”.

He also denied climate change and called it the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world".

Asked about his comments on Channel Four News, Ms Robinson said: “The science is telling us we're running out of time.

“It's incredibly stupid, incredibly reckless, stupid and reckless.

The only way we will see a real future is investing in clean energy, green jobs, and it is incredibly stupid to believe that we need fossil fuel going into the future, because it is destroying us.

“To have the leader of the United States say in the UN that this is stupid or chaotic, or the words he used is really heartbreaking, because we need to move in the other direction.” 

She added: “I know that there's even an effort by President Trump to encourage more right-wing governments, populist governments.

“But the EU, at the moment, is committed, and I hope it will follow through on the commitment to reduce [net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels] by 90% by 2040 that is actually so much in our economic interests."

Protesters hold up signs as they march and attempt to block a street during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Picture: Heather Khalifa/AP

Asked how that plan isn’t “doomed” without American participation in measures to tackle climate change, she said: “I think it doesn't help, obviously, but actually, I don't think it affects countries that know the science has been speaking to us.

“There is a climate and nature crisis.

“We see big, wild fires, we see the heat, we see flooding all over the world.

“I can tell you, developing countries that are most affected absolutely know what's wrong or what the problem is, and they desperately want a UN to move forward.

Asked about the fact that he “appears” to be gaining more support for his views around the world, she replied: “I don't know he's got more support. There's a fear factor.

People are afraid, and they should not be afraid of a bully. You have to stand up to bullies.

On questions around Mr Trump’s views on Gaza, she said: “It is a human-induced famine. Children are dying of malnutrition, and he is largely responsible because he's supporting prime minister Netanyahu.

“So the United States is complicit in this famine and unfolding genocide, and it's on his watch.” 

On Mr Trump’s claims he “should get the Nobel Peace Prize” for having — he claims — ended several wars, she said: “If president Trump wants his Nobel Prize, all he has to do is stop prime minister Netanyahu from being such an extremist leader of his people for his own reasons.

“So Trump actually could move this in the right direction, and I would be the first to propose them for the Nobel Prize, if he does that well.” 

But she also added: “You know, who cares about the Nobel Prize? We care about peace.”

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