Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced severe criticism after attending Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto while violent protests broke out in Montreal. The timing of his appearance at the concert, which coincided with unrest in Montreal, has sparked outrage across the country.
Trudeau was spotted dancing and singing along to Swift’s hit song “You Don’t Own Me” at the Rogers Centre in Toronto during the pop star’s concert. In stark contrast, Montreal was gripped by chaotic pro-Palestine protests that quickly escalated into violence. Disturbing footage from the protests showed masked individuals attacking car windows with hammers and setting vehicles on fire.
As the protests spiralled out of control, Trudeau’s photos and videos from the concert went viral, leading to intense backlash from critics on social media. Many questioned the Prime Minister’s priorities, accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities during a national crisis. Some commentators called his concert attendance a poor reflection of his leadership, with one social media user remarking, “I’d say he looks like the biggest loser in the world. But right now Canadians are the biggest losers in the world because we have him ‘leading’ our country.”
Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances. This is the Canada built by the Liberal government. Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf — Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024
Criticism also came from those who felt his energy would have been better directed toward addressing the violence in Montreal. Trudeau was seen exchanging friendship bracelets with concertgoers, which further fueled anger among many Canadians who believed the PM should have been focused on the escalating situation rather than enjoying a pop concert.
In response to the criticism, Trudeau issued a statement on Saturday condemning the violence in Montreal. He denounced the acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence that had occurred and vowed that those responsible would be held accountable. Despite this, the timing of his appearance at the concert continued to draw ire, with many questioning his leadership and judgment.
The controversy surrounding Trudeau’s attendance at Swift’s concert comes amid a series of high-profile celebrity appearances at the pop star’s Eras Tour. However, for many Canadians, the timing of Trudeau’s participation has overshadowed the excitement of the event, with widespread outrage over what some are calling a dereliction of duty during a time of crisis.