‘Bizarre fetish’: Trump's obsession with Canada called a ‘South Park gag’ leaving even Fox stumped

Donald Trump’s relationship with Canada has long been a source of intrigue and, at times, confusion. His rhetoric and actions towards the country have drawn attention, leading many to wonder whether there is something more behind his frequent critiques and exaggerated reactions to issues involving Canada. Recently, some commentators have taken to describing Trump’s behavior as a “bizarre fetish,” noting that his fixation on Canada is sometimes so peculiar that it has even been compared to a satirical plot from the animated show South Park. Even Fox News has been left scratching its head over Trump’s often exaggerated and at times contradictory stance on Canada, a country with which the U.S. shares not only a long border but also a deeply integrated economic relationship.

A Peculiar Obsession with Canada

Trump’s fixation on Canada began early in his presidency, often focusing on trade issues such as the U.S.-Canada trade deficit, the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, and Canadian tariffs on American products. However, these concerns quickly evolved into more peculiar and personal grievances. For example, Trump frequently criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, especially after the 2018 G7 summit, where tensions between the two leaders flared. Trump famously called Trudeau “dishonest” and “weak” after Trudeau’s remarks about U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. The fallout from that summit was so dramatic that it left many wondering whether the U.S. president was fixating on a relatively small neighbor, especially when his attention was needed elsewhere on the global stage.

Even as Canada continued to be an ally in many respects, Trump seemed to consistently find fault with its leadership. One moment, Trump would call for a more balanced trade deal, and the next, he would accuse Canada of unfairly benefiting from trade agreements. In one particularly bizarre moment, Trump even claimed that Canada’s dairy industry was "killing" American farmers, a statement that was widely regarded as an oversimplification of a much more complex issue. His statements and actions on Canada were often viewed as a strange outlier in his foreign policy, with little clear strategy behind them.

The ‘South Park Gag’ Comparison

As his Canada-related comments became more frequent and erratic, some observers began to see them as something straight out of South Park, the irreverent animated TV show known for its outrageous satire. On South Park, characters are known for having exaggerated and irrational obsessions, with the show often poking fun at real-world figures and events through absurd humor. In many ways, Trump’s comments about Canada began to take on this flavor, almost as if his relationship with the country were some sort of running gag, played for laughs—only it wasn’t all that funny in the real world.

The idea that Trump’s obsession with Canada was being compared to a South Park gag highlights just how bizarre and out of touch his rhetoric sometimes seemed, especially given that Canada is one of the U.S.’s closest allies. While other foreign policy challenges—such as dealing with China, North Korea, and Russia—took precedence, Trump’s fixation on a country with which the U.S. had largely harmonious relations raised eyebrows. Even Fox News commentators, typically supportive of Trump’s policies, found themselves stumped by his repeated comments about Canada. What seemed to some as a strategic economic position appeared to others as an inexplicable grudge.

Fox News Left Scratching Its Head

Fox News, a major proponent of Trump’s agenda, was not immune to questioning his fixation on Canada. The network, known for its right-wing perspectives, occasionally found itself trying to make sense of the president’s behavior. While Fox anchors and commentators would often frame Trump’s rhetoric as a response to Canada’s trade policies or international negotiations, there was no denying that his comments sometimes appeared disproportionate to the issues at hand. For instance, in 2020, when Trump proposed tariffs on Canadian aluminum and attacked Canada’s trade policies, some Fox commentators questioned whether these actions were truly in the best interests of the U.S. or just a continuation of his personal vendetta.

As the years wore on, many pundits and analysts began to wonder whether there was an underlying personal animosity toward Canada or whether it was just another example of Trump’s larger-than-life personality influencing his diplomatic approach. Even among Trump’s staunchest supporters, the sudden bursts of criticism towards Canada seemed out of place when compared to his approach to other world leaders.

The Legacy of Trump’s Canada Obsession

Trump’s legacy of “Canada-bashing” remains an odd chapter in his presidency. Despite his frequent outbursts, the U.S. and Canada’s long-standing economic and political ties remained largely intact. The USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), which replaced NAFTA, was eventually signed, showing that trade relations could still move forward, even amid rhetoric that sometimes appeared bizarre or exaggerated.

In retrospect, Trump’s fixation on Canada could be seen as part of his broader strategy to use aggressive rhetoric and unconventional tactics in negotiations. However, the frequency and intensity of his remarks left many questioning whether it was truly necessary, or if it was a case of his personality getting the better of his foreign policy. Ultimately, Trump’s “bizarre fetish” for Canada may have been an amusing footnote in the grand scheme of his presidency, but it also raised questions about the way personal grudges and foreign policy intersect in the modern age.