Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced widespread mockery after appearing in a TikTok video posted by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, hopping like a rabbit to promote her new single, Watch it Burn. The video, which racked up millions of views, drew sharp criticism from political commentators and the public alike.
Video sparks ridicule
The clip, shared by Perry during her European tour, showed the singer and friends bouncing to the track with the caption: “Ancient texts say that if you hop to this song you will get 1,000 years of good luck.” Eagle-eyed viewers spotted Trudeau, 54, jumping through the shot with a grin. Political commentator Mario Nawfal wrote on X: “Former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is promoting Katy Perry’s new song… by hopping like a rabbit. 2026 is wild.” Another user remarked: “Imagine being a nepo-baby Prime Minister, divorcing your wife, making yourself the single most hated Canadian politician in modern history, dating Katy Perry, and then doing this.” A more charitable viewer said: “I have to admit, he is much better qualified for this job and also better at it.”
Criticism from notable figures
Kevin O’Leary, businessman and television personality, pointed to Trudeau’s record, writing: “The longest run of a #Canadian prime minister in history with absolutely no executional skills that left his nation at the bottom of the #G20 after ten years of incompetence.” The Canada Proud X account quipped: “It’s good to see that Trudeau finally has a job he’s qualified for.” Author and former Concordia University professor Gad Saad added: “He was always the substitute drama teacher who accepted an acting role as prime minister. It is a forever stain on Canada that such an individual held power for 10 years.”
Context of economic woes
The mockery came amid news that four in 10 Canadian manufacturers plan to move production to the United States, according to a study. Additionally, reports indicated that Trudeau’s successor, Mark Carney, experienced the worst first year of growth for a prime minister since 1963. Canada also entered a technical recession. One X user commented: “He ran Canada into a recession and left Carney to finish the job. Now he’s photobombing Katy Perry at Tribeca.”
Trudeau's relationship with Perry
Trudeau and Perry first sparked dating rumours last summer after Perry split from fiancé Orlando Bloom. They were seen having dinner in Montreal, and by fall, they celebrated Perry’s 41st birthday in Paris. At the premiere of her documentary Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris in New York last month, Perry said the concert was filmed “after I met the love of my life.” On the Unfamous podcast, she stated: “I have love in my life now. That’s transformed me. You think when The Beatles say, ‘All you need is love,’ it’s a cliché? Clichés are clichés for a reason.”
Trudeau's post-political life
Since resigning as prime minister in January 2025, Trudeau has been seen partying at Coachella and vacationing with Perry. He attended the U.S. men’s opening match at the FIFA World Cup, drawing backlash, to which he responded on X: “Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup,” adding a Canadian flag emoji. In a Canada Day interview with CBC News, Trudeau said he was happy to be out of politics: “Being too absorbed by politics disconnects you from what is sometimes the best about being a regular Canadian: having a beer and a chat on a porch about this great country we live in.”
Immigration defense
In late June, Trudeau defended high immigration rates at a talk in Finland, saying: “The key on immigration is the capacity to integrate people into your society,” without offering proof of success. Canada admitted 579,000 people in 2015, rising to 1.36 million by 2024, according to government data.
