'The four year nightmare is over': Canadians react to U.S. inauguration day as Trump leaves the White House, Biden and Harris sworn into office
Congratulations to my friend, President @JoeBiden! This is your time. pic.twitter.com/LXzxGnBAfz
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 20, 2021
Joe Biden is officially the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday, taking over the office from Donald Trump. Former U.S. president Barack Obama took to social media on Wednesday morning to share a picture of him with Biden, with the caption, “this is your time.”
With Canada’s close ties with the U.S., Canadians are closely watching the inauguration unfold, entering a new era of Canada-U.S. relations.
“Our two countries are more than neighbours – we are close friends, partners, and allies,” a statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reads. “Canada and the United States have worked side-by-side to tackle some of the greatest challenges we have faced in our history.
Happy #InaugurationDay !!! Good riddance 45! Here’s hoping I’ll be able to visit a better America some day soon 🍾
— Queen V (@Henny_VS) January 20, 2021
Good riddance
Congratulations America and thank you for taking out the trash. May affliction not rise again.
Now please be boring. Good luck! #InaugurationDay— RN (@ronkusgege) January 20, 2021
Its not over. Today is only the beginning Work still needs to be done. He needs to be impeached. He and his family needs to be charged. Those who voted against the election must be held accountable. A long road ahead for healing and a better world #InaugurationDay #EndTrump
— Andrew (@HabsFanInTO) January 20, 2021
The two biggest problems dividing people have been Trump and the virus.
One ends today and we can’t wait to get rid of the other eventually.
Happy New USA day #InaugurationDay #Inauguration2021 #Inauguration #BidenHarrisInauguration #Biden pic.twitter.com/LQTydHdQ5J— Adamantium DJs (@AdamantiumDJs) January 20, 2021
Something that has come to be expected after major U.S. events, the statement “as a Canadian” began trending on Twitter.
As a Canadian, it was my honour to struggle and cry with you all through so much pain & suffering these past 4 years and especially this past year. I can't tell you all how relieved I am knowing that my American friends are in good hands now. We love our neighbours!❤️🇨🇦🇺🇸❤️
— Brandon 🇨🇦 (@Father4Change) January 20, 2021
As a Canadian, I’ve never seen my mother watch a full American Inauguration yet this time she did. That’s how important this day is, for the world as well as America. #InaugurationDay
— LifeWithLynn 🦖 (@LifeWithLynn86) January 20, 2021
As a Canadian, I have to ask, now that Biden is inaugurated, are you through with the Obamas yet? Can we borrow them for a while? pic.twitter.com/cFFc0VVrpO
— Pleasantly Pink (@ReginaRed4) January 20, 2021
As a Canadian, this Inauguration was a moving event for me. What happens in the U.S. matters to us too. Congratulations @POTUS and @VP #ArtistUnknown pic.twitter.com/mV5pJnR408
— Margaret Kramer (@Oma_Wonders) January 20, 2021
As the inauguration unfolded, people in Canada responded to the ceremony and Biden’s speech, which included a strong theme of unity, urging Americans to listen to one another and not be divided.
“Here’s my message to those beyond our borders, America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it,” Biden said. “We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our examples.”
“We’ll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security.”
He also asked everyone to join in a moment of silent prayer for all the Americans who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
The decency of it all. 🥺
— dan levy (@danjlevy) January 20, 2021
Okay this speech is making me a bit misty and I can’t tell if it’s actually inspiring or if I’m just relieved a presidential address is not word salad for the first time in 4 years. #InaugurationDay
— Miss Mel Payne (@missmelpayne) January 20, 2021
"Here's the thing about life — there's no accounting for what fate will deal you."
Fate dealt Joe Biden the most tragic losses a person can suffer & he moved forward by embarking on a lifelong commitment to serve others.#InaugurationDay #BidenHarrisInauguration #PresidentBiden— Mike Crisolago (@MikeCrisolago) January 20, 2021
Taking a moment of silence for those who died during the pandemic was some real nice to see for the first time. #InaugurationDay
— Dan Curtis Thompson (@dctcomedy) January 20, 2021
. @JoeBiden themes of unity, working together, seeing the best in others, will be well received. turning intentions in action will be the big test, but also acknowledge that beginning with good intentions is critical #InaugurationDay
— Mike Van Soelen (@mvansoelen) January 20, 2021
Many Canadians posted their excitement and support of Kamala Harris being the first woman, the first woman of colour, to be elected vice-president of the U.S.
This is what a future leader looks like. #InaugurationDay #VPHarris https://t.co/xK7NK7LI0p
— Julia Hanigsberg (@Hanigsberg) January 20, 2021
My almost 9yo son has declared that he wants a "lady" president because "a lady president will make things better". We're not American, but I think we're leaving the future in good hands with this one 😊 #InaugurationDay
— Laura 🇨🇦 (@lauramjbee) January 20, 2021
👇🏼why I woke up in a good mood today 🙂 #MadamVicePresident #Itsabouttime #DiversityMatters #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/fgnjiDWAdp
— Samar Saneinejad (@samarsanei) January 20, 2021
Well, like that episode of Dallas. The four year nightmare is over. Good riddance to rubbish. Let’s have some hope for 8 years and of course the first Black/South Asian VP! #hope #InaugurationDay #GoodRiddanceTrump
— Michelle (@jellibeenz) January 20, 2021
Shoutout to all the little girls who are young enough today, that they will never remember a time when a woman had not served as Vice President.#InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/3BNOrcRbSn
— Andrew Tumilty (@AndrewTumilty) January 20, 2021
On a more humorous note, some are also riffing on the customary letters outgoing U.S. presidents leave for the successor.
A White House spokesperson has confirmed that Trump did leave a letter for president-elect Biden, but the contents of it have not been released.
BREAKING: Copy of Trump’s note has been leaked#InaugurationDay https://t.co/ZLnuJOHoay pic.twitter.com/rWd1s3v3MQ
— Andrew Tumilty (@AndrewTumilty) January 20, 2021
Open binder full of tremendous blank pieces of paper. Last page is his signature. Saying you can sell it on eBay for thousands of dollars.
— separate_the_magnets (@SeparateMagnets) January 20, 2021
Breaking! Apparently #trump did leave a note for #PresidentBiden. Leaked note below: #inaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/NVFuaIsxfS
— maggie cassella (@maggiecassella) January 20, 2021
Exclusive: I have obtained a photo of the letter Donald Trump left for Joe Biden at the White House. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/3xKS7c6mjj
— matt rorabeck (@mattrorabeck) January 20, 2021
If everything is spelled correctly and it’s not signed in Sharpie, it wasn’t written by #Trump. #letter #InaugurationDay https://t.co/OlKGi55uGC
— The Last Linda (@TheLastLinda) January 20, 2021
“I will always fight for you, I will be watching, I will be listening and I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better,” Trump told supporters in Maryland where he boarded Air Force One to go to Florida. “A goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form.”
“We’ve gotten so much done that nobody thought would be possible... Have a good life, we will see you soon.”
