'Kinda sweet' to 'This guy's the Anti-Hero': Canadians split on PM Trudeau's attempt to get Taylor Swift to play Canada
The Taylor Swift snub saga reaches political peaks, but there's no sign the singer will swing up North
Justin Trudeau is no stranger to criticism, but a recent call on social media to entice an international pop star to play in Canada is drumming up a score of bad blood, while others shake it off.
The prime minister responded to a Taylor Swift tweet announcing that she would be adding 14 more dates on her Eras world tour, including Paris, Lisbon, London, Milan, and Vienna. The tour, however, doesn't include any Canadian stops.
It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 6, 2023
"It's me, hi," the Tweet begins, referencing a lyric from Swift's song Anti-Hero. "I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don't make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon."
(Cruel Summer is in reference to another Swift hit.)
Despite being one of over 14,000 replies to the original tweet, the PM's plea didn't go unnoticed.
Some found Trudeau's effort to get the pop superstar's attention a positive move for the country.
Probably asking for his daughter, kinda sweet
— Tom Mongros (@Tom21378062) July 6, 2023
Well it will generate a lot of revenue for local economies which is amazing
— 🏳️🌈 Shapeshifter 🇨🇦 (@generalthemoon) July 6, 2023
I know it's just a meme, but Trudeau trying to win over Swifties isn't a terrible idea
Pierre is like "I had 500 people come to my rally" but Taylor Swift will have 5000 people drive hours to show up *in the parking lot* outside a sold out football stadium in Cincinnati #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/dKCpjs9AfX— Connor 🇨🇦 (@connordpeters) July 6, 2023
He is so real for this
— Suraj (@iSurajsinghk) July 6, 2023
Prime Minister Trudeau asks Taylor Swift if she can add Canadian dates to her #ErasTour pic.twitter.com/D7nfluLFPb
— Secret Threads (@SecretInvasionn) July 6, 2023
canada knows who mother is
— sam ❦ (@endedbysam) July 6, 2023
Others didn't hold back when it came to trolling the PM for trying to get the musician's attention.
Justin Trudeau actively begging Taylor Swift to play in Canada, not Parliament Funkadelic?
Lightweight, totally unserious national leader.— local yokel (@meh_just_a_guy) July 6, 2023
Trudeau is begging Taylor Swift to come to Canada. Do you think Swift even knows who this guy is? LMAO https://t.co/gZsHbJQoxR
— Kat Kanada (@KatKanada_TM) July 6, 2023
Hey Taylor: This guy’s the anti-hero. Please don’t indulge his ego.
— Rowan Thee Stallion 🏇 (@canmericanized) July 6, 2023
POV: You're Justin Trudeau five minutes before tweeting this pic.twitter.com/8iPQOERN71
— Samantha B - Sincere Posts (0/100) (@KojimaErgoSum) July 6, 2023
Shouldn’t you be fighting inflation and governing the country instead of publicly simping over Taylor swift? pic.twitter.com/YvFWk60Q5c
— Genia🔥 (@Genia_xx) July 6, 2023
Is the Canadian tourism industry that hard up, that the PM has to go out and beg people to come perform in Canada?
This is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) July 6, 2023
Some joked the PM reaching out to Swift directly could mean a rebate for Canadians for Taylor Swift tickets, in light of this week's grocery rebate.
will he be giving us a "grocery" rebate to see her show? LOLLL
— AmanGrewal100 (@Amangrewal1000) July 6, 2023
Dear Prime Minister, when could we have the rebate of Taylor Swift's tickets?
— WildCat (@WildCat_io) July 6, 2023
In June, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux vowed to use his power to attempt to bring the singer to Canada.
"It has come to my attention that despite much anticipation, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has neglected to include any Canadian dates or locations as she released her international dates, which includes stops throughout Asia and Europe," Jeneroux wrote. "Similar to what's being considered in Australia, I would like to file an official grievance within Parliament on behalf of all Swifties in Canada for her and her team to reconsider."
Swift's latest tour is her first since 2018's Reputation stadium tour.
A fiasco ensued in November of last year after Swift initially announced her Eras tour. Ticketmaster and Live Nation were accused of botching pre-sales, which has led to lawsuits and an investigation by the Justice Department in the U.S.
