Staff Reports
The ever-controversial President-elect Donald Trump has struck again, this time with a playful jab at Canada during a recent visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It seems that while the Prime Minister was in sunny Florida at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, the former President couldn’t resist a little banter about the great white north—specifically, suggesting that if Trudeau wasn’t a fan of a hefty 25% tariff on Canadian goods, perhaps Canada should consider becoming the 51st state.
Trump, known for his sharp wit and comedic timing, reportedly floated this tongue-in-cheek proposition as a clever way to make a point about trade and border control. Mentioning the looming tariffs as leverage, Trump brought the kind of humor that has made him a social media darling among conservatives. Amidst all the talk about protecting the U.S. border from illegal immigration and the deadly fentanyl crisis, this playful suggestion struck a chord with many, providing a momentary chuckle in a world filled with serious issues.
Trump joked in a meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau that if Canada can't deal with migration flows and trade deficits, it might be better off becoming the 51st U.S. state and Trudeau becoming governor.pic.twitter.com/Fz5BwoE0M3
— Nyra Kraal (@NyraKraal) December 3, 2024
The social media backlash was mostly supportive, with Trump supporters and a variety of Americans enjoying the punchline. Was this an act of revenge for Trudeau’s past jabs directed at Trump? It certainly seems plausible, considering Trudeau has made a habit of poking fun at the former President’s expense on international stages. Now, it’s Trump’s turn to remind Trudeau that humor is a two-way street, particularly when one’s approval rating is scraping the bottom of the barrel, like Trudeau’s currently hovering around a mere 30%.
But it wasn’t just an off-handed remark that Trump shared. He further cemented this humorous narrative by posting a meme on his Truth Social platform, featuring him triumphantly standing on a mountain with the caption “Oh Canada!” clearly aimed to amplify this mock takeover punchline. The imagery of the challenge on display has long made for some good comedic material, reclaiming the light-hearted spirit of the dialogue.
Yet, Trump’s light-hearted joke does touch on a more serious historical reality: the U.S. has indeed attempted to take over Canada before, and it didn’t end well. After all, history remembers that President James Madison led the charge during the War of 1812, only to find himself facing staunch resistance from British forces. One can’t help but wonder if the Canadian Prime Minister is shaking in his boots at the memory or, perhaps just thankful it’s still all in good fun.
All in all, this entertaining interaction has once again showcased Trump’s ability to turn serious discussions into comedic relief, proving that there’s always room for laughter—even when discussing tariffs or national boundaries.
