In good times, Justin Trudeau has attracted more attention from the world’s press than any other Canadian Prime Minister in decades.
That is proving true in bad times as well.
“New Video Surfaces Showing Trudeau in Blackface, Compounding Scandal” a headline in the NY Times reads.
“Justin Trudeau: details emerge of third blackface incident,” is the headline in the UK Guardian’s International edition.
“The succession of revelations has rocked Trudeau’s campaign as he faces a tough battle for a second term,” reads an article in the Washington Post.
Late Wednesday, a photo emerged taken in 2001 showing Trudeau dressed elaborately as Aladdin, his face and hands darkened by makeup during an “Arabian Nights”-themed party at the Vancouver private school where he once taught.
He also admitted to having worn makeup during a high-school talent show, while performing a version of Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat Song (Day-O).”
During an emergency news conference aboard the Liberal campaign plane last night he said he is asking Canadians to forgive me for what I did.
Trudeau said he’ll talk to his three kids about “taking responsibility for mistakes we make, about living every day to try to be a better person.”
Now a video of Trudeau in blackface, first reported by Global News, has come to light.
A Liberal spokesperson confirmed its authenticity and said it was filmed in the early 1990s.
A NY Times article says the emergence of the photos and the video reinforce a narrative that he isn’t really who he portrays himself to be.
“Mr. Trudeau has long cast himself as a glittering spokesman for the world’s beleaguered liberals, standing up to President Trump, supporting gender and Indigenous rights, welcoming immigrants, and fighting climate change and racism. But that carefully calibrated image suffered a major blow this week when photos and a video emerged of the prime minister dressing up as racist caricatures in the early 1990s and in 2001.”
A story in the UK on the BBC’s website offers similar analysis.
“The images are acutely embarrassing for the prime minister, especially as he has made progressive policies a signature issue.”
France’s Le Monde also looks at the impact the revelations could have on Trudeau’s image.
The Liberal leader will be making campaign stops in Winnipeg and Saskatoon on Thursday.
with files from Canadian Press
CHEK News
