Ontario Premier Provokes Trump’s Ire Once Again With Reagan-Themed Ad
By David Ljunggren (Original reporting by Reuters)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again stirred controversy south of the border, provoking the ire of former U.S. President Donald Trump following the release of a political advertisement in Ontario that prominently features former U.S. President Ronald Reagan—a known influence on conservative politics in both countries. The ad, which aired as part of Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party’s preparations for future provincial elections, appears to position Ford’s leadership in alignment with the values and messaging of Reagan-era conservatism.
The fallout from the ad has sparked diplomatic and political reactions, especially from Trump and his allies, who view the invocation of Reagan’s image and messaging by a foreign politician as both opportunistic and politically charged.
Here is a comprehensive review of the events surrounding the controversy, the political climate between the U.S. and Canada, and the broader implications for conservative politics on both sides of the border.
Background: The Reagan-Themed Political Ad
– The advertisement, produced by Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party, begins with archival footage of Ronald Reagan delivering one of his most popular speeches on conservative values and the role of limited government.
– Ford’s political team reportedly used the footage to reinforce themes such as:
– Lower taxes
– Free-market principles
– Empowering citizens through limited government intervention
– Law and order
– The ad then transitions to scenes of Ford speaking to crowds around Ontario, echoing many of the mantras used by Reagan in the 1980s.
– Subtle visuals such as the American flag, references to economic rebirth, and slogans like “Morning in Ontario” have drawn clear parallels to Reagan’s famous “Morning in America” campaign.
– While the ad is clearly tailored for Canadian audiences, its use of American imagery has caused friction.
Donald Trump’s Reaction
– Former President Donald Trump was quick to respond to the ad, issuing a statement via Truth Social, where he accused Ford of disrespecting his administration and “using Reagan’s legacy to score political points.”
– Trump characterized the ad as “tone-deaf” and chastised Ford for what he called “borrowing American greatness to prop up weak leadership in Canada.”
– Trump, who has his own well-documented rivalry with Reagan-era Republican idealists, appeared incensed that a foreign leader would lean so heavily on Reagan to make political gains.
– White House insiders and Trump-aligned media outlets like Newsmax and OANN immediately began criticizing Ford, suggesting the ad displayed a lack of originality and an unwelcome interference in American political symbolism.
– Trump’s spokesperson went further, warning that actions like these could “add stress to an already delicate trading and diplomatic relationship with Canada.”
Ford’s Response
– Premier Ford declined to respond directly to Trump’s comments but his communications office released a short statement:
– “Premier Ford has always respected the contributions of President Reagan to conservative thought,” it read.
– The office added that “Canada’s Conservative movement shares historical and philosophical ties with American conservatism, which have existed long before the current political climate in the U.S.”
– Ford’s team also clarified that the ad was not intended to interfere with American politics, but rather to evoke timeless principles of economic growth, individual responsibility, and national pride.
Political Implications for Ontario
– Analysts say the ad marks the beginning of Ford’s rebranding ahead of the 2026 Ontario general election.
– With declining approval ratings due to controversies surrounding the Greenbelt land swap scandal and pandemic-era decisions, the Ford government may be seeking to reframe its leadership through historical conservative references.
Political analyst Tim Abray of Queen’s University noted:
– “Tapping into Reagan resonates not necessarily because of American politics, but because it evokes a time of clear conservative identity. Ford needs that clarity right now.”
Canadian Reactions to Ford’s Ad
– Canadian politicians on both the left and right have weighed in
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