Overview

• McCain compared Thunberg’s haircut to Shrek character Lord Farquaad in an X post responding to Thunberg’s pro-Palestinian video.
• She removed the post after it drew immediate criticism for focusing on appearance rather than arguments.
• Online responses highlighted McCain’s past complaints about appearance-based commentary and her own history of experimenting with hairstyles.
• News outlets reported that the post was deleted and noted McCain has not issued a comment or apology, and her representative did not immediately respond.
• Coverage placed the exchange in the context of Thunberg’s ongoing Gaza activism, including a planned flotilla relaunch and her prior detention by Israeli authorities in June.