By Matina Stevis-Gridneff
Justin Trudeau’s journey exemplifies a modern political saga, transitioning from a charismatic liberal icon to a figure of ridicule by President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters.
He made a splash on the global stage in 2015, stepping in as the youthful, newly elected leader of Canada, following in the footsteps of his father, a former beloved prime minister.
Over the past decade, he has cultivated an image as a champion of feminism, environmentalism, and rights for refugees and Indigenous peoples, echoing Barack Obama’s message of transformation and optimism.
Despite receiving glowing reviews from the media — including praise for his iconic looks — his initial adoration from Canadians quickly waned after about two years; by 2017, several controversies had already marred his seemingly flawless portrayal.
His party subsequently lost the popular vote in two consecutive elections, in 2019 and 2021, compelling him to form minority governments supported by a leftist opposition party. That backing has now dissipated as well.
Currently, Trudeau, like other Western leaders, is confronted with an irate electorate and a diminishing grip on power.
He will soon either initiate elections that he is likely to lose or resign from his role as party leader and prime minister, allowing another leader to guide the Liberals into the upcoming elections next year.
The prince
In Stephen Maher’s biography of Trudeau from 2024, the author recounts instances where Trudeau’s relatives referred to him as a “prince.”
“I’ve always been aware throughout my life that this opportunity would be open to me if I chose,” Maher cites a younger Trudeau saying regarding his entry into politics.
When it comes to selecting where to begin narrating Trudeau’s political narrative, historians have multiple options.
There’s the 2012 charity boxing match he, then a young MP, won against a formidable Conservative opponent who possessed a karate black belt. This fight is still frequently mentioned.
Or the 2015 occasion when he, as prime minister, introduced Canada’s inaugural gender-balanced Cabinet and, when asked why it mattered, quipped, “Because it’s 2015.” This remark sent a clear message to male leaders globally.
One could also reflect on the eulogy he delivered in 2000 for his father, the late Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, as an early insight into Justin Trudeau’s political persona.
“We have gathered from coast to coast to coast. From one ocean to another, united in our sorrow to bid farewell,” Trudeau, then 29, expressed to a crowded cathedral of mourners. “But this is not the end.”
Trudeau, who will turn 53 on Christmas Day, was born during his father’s first term in office, marking the beginning of a long political legacy.
His father captivated the nation in the late 1960s, leading to what became known as “Trudeau-mania.” Although public sentiment eventually shifted against him, he remained in office for 16 years, paving the way for his son’s rise.
“There was a sense of nostalgia associated with the name that really resonated for Justin,” remarked Darrell Bricker, an experienced pollster and CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.
“We were transitioning from a time of turbulent Canadian politics dominated by older men,” he noted, “and even younger men who appeared old, making Justin feel like a refreshing change.”
Liberal icon
The remark “Because it’s 2015” regarding gender parity in his Cabinet propelled Trudeau to worldwide political fame.
High-profile magazines gushed; Vogue named him one of 2015’s 10 “convention-defying hotties,” calling him a “Canadian politician-dreamboat.”
One former European leader from the G7 noted that initial meetings with Trudeau were characterized by attendees lining up for selfies and adoring him like a rock star. The leader requested anonymity when discussing past diplomatic engagements.
As the United States shifted from the Obama to the Trump administrations in 2016, Trudeau appeared to symbolize continuity with Obama’s policies. This was especially evident in 2017 when he welcomed refugees with open arms while Trump instituted stricter immigration policies.
Change all around
However, as 2017 progressed, his domestic political standing began to decline.
By the time he approached the polls in 2019, Trudeau was embroiled in scandal, including a luxurious vacation he failed to declare and resurfaced videos from the late 1990s and 2001 capturing him in blackface.
This had significant repercussions: he could only secure a minority government, leaving his party reliant on partnerships for legislative support.
Then came the pandemic. Detractors attribute Trudeau’s push for stringent measures as a significant factor behind the resentment towards him.
Within two years, amidst the pandemic, Trudeau called for an early election, convinced it would lead to him regaining a majority; he was mistaken. He again ended up with just a minority of representatives in the House of Commons.
By that moment, the political landscape in the West was already trending right due to vaccine and mandate-resistance sentiments. In Canada, this resulted in protests nationwide, famously termed the Freedom Convoy, including weeks of demonstrations that besieged downtown Ottawa.
A walk in the snow
Trump’s election in November has highlighted Trudeau’s frail position. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, risking severe economic consequences for Canada. Moreover, Trump has taken to mocking Trudeau online, referring to him as a governor and Canada as the 51st state.
Currently, a political persona that seems diametrically opposed to Trump’s has not benefitted Trudeau. “He surfed in on a wave, and when you catch a wave, it can elevate you,” Bricker remarked. “However, if you don’t dismount, it risks crashing down on you.”
With elections mandated by October under Canada’s electoral regulations, Trudeau’s exit is increasingly viewed as inevitable. The pressing question remains what this implies for his Liberal Party. The latest Ipsos poll, released Friday, indicated that the Liberals are trailing the Conservatives by 25 percentage points.
An ever-growing chorus is urging Trudeau to “take a walk in the snow,” a phrase that entered political folklore following his father’s long walk in February 1984 when facing calls to step down.
Upon his return, he announced his resignation.
