As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal continues to develop, media and influential figures around the world continue to weigh in.
Earlier this month, news broke that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put on “blackface” at least three times in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the story continues to make headlines around the world.
After a first instance was reported by TIME magazine, two more instances were soon uncovered, creating a scandal that has been both reported and satirized by global media.
The Trudeau blackface scandal has become so well known that even US President Donald Trump was asked about it.
Trump said he was “surprised” to see that Trudeau had been in blackface.
“And I was more surprised when I saw the number of times.”
Outlets as diverse as the British BBC and Express, the German Die Welt and Agence France have all covered the developing scandal, creating an international embarrassment for Canada.
While originally claiming to have only donned racist make-up twice, a third instance was uncovered. Trudeau then said he did not specifically remember how many times he used the extremely offensive gag.
“I’m wary of being definitive about this because there are recent pictures that came out I had not remembered. I think the question is how can you not remember that? The fact is I didn’t understand how hurtful it is,” Trudeau said at a press conference.
Headlines like “How damaging is blackface scandal to Trudeau?” from BBC and “Justin Trudeau clean image takes another hit over ‘brownface’ past” from ABC (Australia) make it clear that the global media is now looking at Canada and the implications the blackface scandal will have on our election.
Commentators from around the world also weighed in on the scandal, many focusing on the hypocrisy of the progressive Trudeau engaging in the racist act of blackface.
Influential British pundit Piers Morgan in particular slammed the Prime Minister.
“For a guy so keen to paint himself as the male Mother Teresa, the revelation that he has literally painted himself to appropriate non-white skin color is a bombshell from which I doubt he will ever recover,” he said
“Until yesterday, this guy was the very epitome of liberal self-righteousness, a caring, sharing bundle of worthy concern. Now he’s been forced to admit he’s the thing his fans despise most – a racist.”
Media personalities such as Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon in United States also commented on their respective shows, each trying to connect Trudeau’s blackface scandal to American politics.
Trudeau’s tarnished reputation may impact Canada’s perception of the world stage if he is re-elected Prime Minister.
