“The Liberation Illusion”

Saturday April 5, 2025 | Newsletter 25

This week has been a whirlwind of political drama and economic upheaval, with the shadow of Donald Trump once again dominating Canadian politics. From trade tensions to allegations of foreign interference, each day unveiled new layers of complexity in the political landscape. As always, I hope my editorial cartoons served as a mirror, reflecting the craziness and challenges of a rapidly shifting global order. Join me as we navigate through the week’s events, summarizing the key themes and messages that emerged over the past seven days.

Monday March 31, 2025 “Re-run of the week”
As we entered the second week of the 2025 Federal Election, one might expect my focus in editorial cartoons to be entirely consumed by it. However, in an era that Donald Trump labels the “new Golden Age for America” and where he insists that “America is Back,” this week was marked by “Liberation Day.” Retiring MP Charlie Angus aptly noted that the Normandy landings, commonly known as D-Day, on June 6, 1944, rightfully deserve this designation, as they signified the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Any president from the past 70 years, including Trump, should recognize this historical significance. Yet, it is clear that history holds little importance for him, just as alliances seem to have lost their meaning. Meanwhile, the world watched as he threatened punitive measures against nearly every nation—except for Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Cuba—for what he describes as “Ripping off America.”

Given the prominence of this theme throughout the week, I decided to dedicate Monday to releasing part two of a playing card I had sketched the previous week. This time, I created a corresponding card featuring Doug Ford and Mark Carney, representing a concept of unity. With Smith raising the prospect of Alberta’s separation, this pairing felt particularly fitting. In a Globe & Mail piece this week, former Reform relic Preston Manning warned that a Carney premiership risks the “breakup of Canada,” using dramatic rhetoric about Western secession that borders on fear-mongering rather than proposing constructive solutions. He might be onto something with his vision of the future, particularly given the strong presence of like-minded “drill baby drill” maple MAGA supporters. However, his stance came across as somewhat desperate, and considering Poilievre’s subsequent distancing from it later in the week, it seems less than beneficial.

Tuesday April 1, 2025 “Fire and Fury in the North”
Speaking of desperation, conspiracy theories reared their ugly heads from right field in these early days, aiming to undermine the Liberals’ growing lead over the Conservatives. Notably, two theories targeted Carney: one involved a legitimate old group photograph of him with Ghislaine Maxwell, while the other was an AI-generated fake depicting them on a beach alongside Tom Hanks, of all people. Additionally, a fabricated claim alleged that Carney had plagiarized his doctoral thesis from Oxford, but this was quickly debunked. These theories fizzled out within days, yet the influence of Donald Trump on Canadian politics loomed large, with his chaotic persona portrayed as a fire-breathing figure unleashing “LIBERATION DAY!” Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre stood engulfed in flames labelled “CANADA FIRST,” facing a pivotal decision amid escalating trade tensions. As his campaign struggles with misinformation surrounding Carney, the question of leadership clarity remains pressing, though there is a glimmer of hope that voters may become more discerning in distinguishing fact from fiction.

Wednesday April 2, 2025 “Dragons and Decisions”
The focus now turns to Mark Carney, who stands resolutely behind Paul Chiang before Chiang resigns amid controversies that underscore the Liberal Party’s perceived indecisiveness. This moment presents a much-needed opportunity for the Conservatives, reminding the public of the Liberals’ consistent detachment from pressing issues, a legacy of Trudeau’s leadership that demonstrates Carney’s Liberals are no different in their tone-deafness. The cartoon’s dragon, labelled “INTERFERENCE,” symbolizes the urgent concern of foreign meddling, particularly from China. This incident brings back discussions about the importance of honesty and strong leadership, highlighting the need to respond more effectively to outside influences as the election campaign heats up. Carney’s misstep is a costly blunder for a rookie politician.

Thursday April 3, 2025 “Termination Day Takes Flight”
A chunk of the U.S. has been metaphorically launched into the atmosphere, marking what some have called “LIBERATION DAY,” while Ontario Premier Doug Ford has labelled it “Termination Day,” reflecting the intense backlash against these policies. As the world watches with growing concern, the potential economic consequences of isolationist strategies are becoming increasingly evident. The Trump administration made its announcements just after the markets closed at 4 PM, and by my 5 PM deadline, the metaphorical ink of this cartoon was drying as the markets plummeted to record lows on Thursday and continued to falter on Friday. Trump downplayed the situation, likening it to a patient recovering from surgery, but the rising anxiety in global markets reveals the chaos his decisions are creating, leaving allies questioning their loyalties. On the Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon summarized the day’s fallout with an impression of Trump, declaring, “We’ll make America wealthy again like it was at the start of my presidency.”

Friday April 4, 2025 “Factories and Folly”
As the week unfolds, the cartoon critiques the oversimplified idea of reviving American manufacturing. The striking contrast between the luxurious Mar-a-Lago and the harsh reality of factories underscores the complexities surrounding Trump’s trade policies. The push to bring jobs back home, alongside the rise of automation, raises questions about the practicality of a nostalgic return to manufacturing in the U.S. Dissenting voices within his own party are starting to emerge, challenging the effectiveness of tariffs and their long-term economic consequences. Libertarian GOP Senator Rand Paul provided a historical perspective on tariffs, pointing out their detrimental effects: “Tariffs have led to political decimation,” Paul noted. “When [former President William] McKinley imposed tariffs in 1890, the party lost 50 percent of their seats in the national election. Similarly, after the Smoot-Hawley tariff in the early 1930s, we lost control of the House and Senate for 60 years. They’re not only economically harmful but politically damaging as well.” This relentless pursuit of wealth, often disregarding human lives and the regulations meant to protect our environment, echoes the dangers of unchecked capitalism, reminiscent of the nightmare scenario of Pottersville that George Bailey encounters in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Saturday April 5, 2025 “A Hermit Kingdom in the Making”
The week culminates in a portrayal of Uncle Sam posting a coming soon billboard for “LIBERATION DAY,” much to the concern of Kim Jong Un. As the U.S. navigates a path of economic self-reliance, the implications for global trade and alliances become more pronounced. The contrast between Americans’ vibrant global presence and the administration’s insular policies raises questions about the future of America’s role on the world stage. Are we witnessing a fleeting phase of isolation, or a new era of self-imposed seclusion?

Reconciling the complex emotions surrounding the realities of Trump’s long-discussed grand plan is no easy task. On one hand, there’s a fascination with the audacity of a single individual determined to reshape the world’s largest economy, regardless of whether the scheme is deemed insane. On the other hand, there’s a sense of betrayal as Canada, traditionally a close ally, finds itself belittled and labelled as a nation of rip-off artists, along with every other nation on the planet.

Published in The Hamilton Spectator – September 9, 1939 by Ivan Russell Glassco. The illustration depicts Uncle Sam walking with his hands in his pockets, whistling a neutrality tune, which conveys a sense of backwardness or regression. The lower caption, “Whistling in the dark,” implies an attempt to stay optimistic or unconcerned despite the surrounding uncertainty or danger. This suggests that Uncle Sam is trying to maintain a façade of neutrality amid troubling global events, particularly reflecting the reluctance of the United States to engage directly in the escalating tensions leading to World War II.

As Canada navigates its identity amid these external pressures, there is hope that voters will rise above the clamour, seeking clarity and accountability from their leaders. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has starkly stated that the longstanding relationship with the United States—characterized by deep economic integration and close security and military cooperation—is over. He emphasizes that Canadians must “fundamentally reimagine our economy” in light of President Trump’s tariffs. These are sobering words that highlight the uncertain journey ahead.

One thing is clear: the political drama is far from over. Thank you for joining me on this reflective journey, and stay tuned for more insights next week!

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