Greta Thunberg is a young Swedish activist who has become a global icon for her campaign against climate change. She has inspired millions of people to join her in demanding action from world leaders and corporations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. She has also been the target of many critics and conspiracy theorists who question her motives, credentials, and connections.
One of the most persistent and bizarre conspiracy theories about Thunberg is that she is related to the Rothschild family, a wealthy and influential banking dynasty that has been accused of various nefarious deeds, such as manipulating world events, controlling the media, and being part of a secret cabal that rules the world. According to this theory, Thunberg is the great-great-granddaughter of Lionel Walter Rothschild, the 2nd Baron Rothschild, and the great-granddaughter of Joachim Rothschild-Thunberg, a Swedish banker who was allegedly Lionel Walter’s illegitimate son.
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The Origin and Spread of the Conspiracy Theory
The conspiracy theory seems to have originated from a blog post by Michael Walsh, a self-proclaimed historian and journalist who writes for Europe Renaissance, a website that promotes white nationalism, anti-Semitism, and Holocaust denial. In his post, Walsh claims that Thunberg is a blood relative of the Rothschild clan and that her environmental activism is part of a plot to advance their agenda. He provides no evidence or sources to back up his claims, except for a vague reference to “Swedish genealogical records”.
The blog post was published in April 2022 and soon went viral on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Many users shared the post as if it were a fact, without verifying its authenticity or credibility. Some even claimed that the Rothschild family had admitted or confirmed Thunberg’s relation to them, which is false.
The Evidence Against the Conspiracy Theory
There is no evidence whatsoever that Thunberg is related to the Rothschild family. In fact, there is ample evidence that she is not.
First of all, there is no record of any Joachim Rothschild-Thunberg existing in Swedish history or genealogy. According to Uppsala University, there is no historical document that mentions any Joachim Rothschild or Thunberg working in the Swedish banking sector. Moreover, there is no indication that Lionel Walter Rothschild had any illegitimate children or adopted any sons. He was married to his cousin Marie Louise von Schönberg and had three children with her: Victor, Miriam, and Evelyn.
Secondly, Thunberg’s family tree is publicly available and shows no connection to the Rothschild family. Her parents are Svante Thunberg, an actor and author, and Malena Ernman, an opera singer and environmentalist. Her paternal grandfather is Olof Thunberg, a famous actor and director. Her maternal grandparents are Lars Ernman, a businessman, and Eva Ernman-Bystedt, a teacher. None of them have any link to the Rothschilds or their descendants.
Thirdly, Thunberg’s activism is not influenced or funded by the Rothschild family or any other external force. She started her campaign in 2018 by skipping school and holding a sign that read “School strike for climate” outside the Swedish parliament. She did this on her own initiative, without any guidance or support from anyone else. She later gained international attention and recognition for her speeches at various events and forums, such as the United Nations Climate Action Summit and the World Economic Forum. She has also founded several organizations and movements that aim to empower young people to take action for the climate, such as Fridays for Future and The Climate Reality Project. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, such as Time Person of the Year 2019 and Nobel Peace Prize nominee 2019 and 2020.
The Motive Behind the Conspiracy Theory
The conspiracy theory that Thunberg is related to the Rothschild family is clearly baseless and absurd. It is part of a larger pattern of attacks and smears against Thunberg by her opponents who disagree with her message or feel threatened by her influence. Some of these attacks are motivated by political or ideological differences, while others are driven by personal or professional jealousy or resentment.
The Rothschild family has been a common scapegoat for conspiracy theorists for centuries. They have been blamed for everything from causing wars and revolutions to creating diseases and disasters. They have also been accused of being part of a secret society that controls the world through finance, media, politics, religion, and culture. These accusations are often rooted in anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, paranoia, ignorance, or envy.
The conspiracy theory that Thunberg is related to the Rothschild family is an attempt to discredit her credibility and legitimacy as an activist and a leader. It is also an attempt to undermine her cause and divert attention from the real and urgent issues of climate change and environmental justice. It is a form of misinformation and propaganda that should be exposed and rejected by anyone who values truth, reason, and evidence.
