Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be choosing not to comment on the upcoming U.S. presidential election, but NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has never been shy regarding his feelings about one of the candidates. He has called out Donald Trump numerous times on Twitter throughout his presidency. He has criticized the president on matters from tariffs to outright racism. With the prospect of a potential new president-elect being named this week (or four more years for the incumbent), it's interesting to see how one of Canada's own federal leaders has spoken up on issues that affect Canadians as well as Americans. Editor's Choice: Two Teen Girls Fell Through Ice & Alberta Men Tied Their Turbans Together To Save Them On 'Stop & Frisk' .@realDonaldTrump lack of evidence in support of the racially discriminatory practice of stop & frisk parallels the carding discussion in TO— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 27, 2016 One of Singh's earliest callouts of Trump came before he was even elected president. The NDP leader compared the candidate's support for the NYPD's controversial stop and frisk program to the practice of carding in Toronto, both of which disproportionately affected people of colour. Following Events In Charlottesville Hateful, racist & violent acts in #charlottesville & elsewhere need to be called out & named by political leaders. Trump needed to name it.— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) August 13, 2017 Trump's reaction to the Unite The Right Rally in 2017, when he said there were, "very fine people on both sides," garnered a strong, multi-tweet reaction from the NDP leader. He expressed that Trump needed to clearly condemn the white nationalists present at the event. Charlottesville Continued Trump is taking a side. The wrong side. A very dangerous side that encourages the rise of hateful forces that threaten us all.— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) August 13, 2017 Singh had even more to say on the subject, and plainly stated that Trump had taken "the wrong side" in the matter. Calls For Unity We have a collective responsibility to denounce President Trump's attempt to sow division and inflame hatredThe highest office of the land should inspire and unite It's on each of us to build a world that is stronger not in spite of, but because of our differences— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 30, 2017 A little over three months later, Singh would again turn his attention toward Trump's rhetoric, insisting that the president was actively working to divide people, rather than bring them together. Standing Up Against Tariffs I spoke with Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau earlier today and I was clear that I agree Canada must stand up to TrumpI urged him to take immediate steps to support the workers and communities that stand to be devastated by these U.S. #steeltariffs— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) May 31, 2018 The tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum became a sticking point for leaders in both countries. Although Trump eventually relented (before going back on his decision, then relenting again), Singh was firmly on the side of supporting Canadian workers in the dispute. Condemning Comments About Democratic Congresswomen This is a sad & ugly display of racism by a President that shows no interest in, or ability to unite people. I stand with these Congresswomen and everyone who is targeted and being othered by this endless dog whistling by Trump. https://t.co/D95VvqkPpo— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) July 14, 2019 After Trump tweeted a message suggesting that four Democratic congresswomen of colour should "go back" to the countries they came from, Singh tweeted his own disapproval of the comments and support for the congresswomen (who are all U.S. citizens). Trusting The Scientists Donald Trump's behaviour is reckless and dangerous.Trust scientists. Covid-19 is a big deal.Wear a mask and help save lives.— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) October 6, 2020 Singh's most recent tweet calling out the president takes a swing at Trump's handling of the coronavirus in the United States. Singh takes the opposite stance of the president in each line, reminding people to trust the experts, know that the pandemic is serious, and to wear masks.
