The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Former Canada PM HITS Trump Where IT HURTS THE Most" Release Date: January 13, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into a significant political development involving former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Kretchen's outspoken op-ed directed at former U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussion centers around Kretchen's critique of Trump's rhetoric towards Canada, the broader implications for Canadian-American relations, and the international pushback against anti-democratic movements.

1. Introduction and Context

[01:19] Political Commentator: The episode kicks off with the hosts highlighting the release of an op-ed by Jean Kretchen, a prominent figure in Canadian politics. Celebrating his 91st birthday, Kretchen takes the rare step of publicly addressing Trump’s antagonistic remarks towards Canada.

Key Points:

• Jean Kretchen's Background: Former Prime Minister of Canada and member of the Liberal Party from 1993 to 2003.
• Issue at Hand: Kretchen's response to Trump's threats regarding Canada's sovereignty and potential annexation.

2. Jean Kretchen’s Op-Ed

[02:30] Reading of the Op-Ed: The hosts present the full text of Kretchen's op-ed, emphasizing his strong stance against Trump's comments. Kretchen underscores Canada's commitment to its independence, social safety nets, and the unity among Canadian political parties in defense of national interests.

Notable Excerpts:

• Kretchen to Trump: "Give your head a shake. What can make you think that Canadians would ever give up the best country in the world?"

  (Timestamp: [04:10])

• On Canadian Values: "Canadians prize our independence. We love our country. We have built something here that is the envy of the world when it comes to compassion, understanding, tolerance..."

  (Timestamp: [05:20])

• Call for Leadership: "Start showing that spine and toughness. That's what Canadians want to see, what they need to see. It's called leadership."

  (Timestamp: [07:00])

Summary of Op-Ed: Kretchen articulates Canada's resilience and unity in the face of Trump's provocations, advocating for a strategic and fortified national stance to safeguard sovereignty and democratic values.

3. Political Reactions

a. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

[13:14] Political Analyst: A clip features Prime Minister Trudeau addressing Trump's comments, dismissing the notion of any feasible merger between Canada and the U.S. Trudeau emphasizes the strength and independence of Canada.

Quote: "We have the greatest country in the world. We have the greatest province anywhere."

(Timestamp: [15:22])

b. New Democratic Party Leader Merit Stiles

[14:08] Political Commentator: Merit Stiles, leader of the New Democratic Party, labels Trump's remarks as an existential threat and vows to counteract any negative impacts on Canadian workers and trade relationships.

Quote: "Donald Trump is going to come after us, we're going to fight you like hell."

(Timestamp: [14:22])

c. Ontario’s Conservative Leader Doug Ford

[14:55] Political Commentator: Doug Ford responds with a mix of seriousness and humor, rejecting the possibility of Canada’s annexation and affirming Ontario's pride and independence.

Quote: "Under my watch, that will never, ever happen."

(Timestamp: [15:22])

4. Discussion and Analysis by Hosts

The Meiselas brothers analyze the implications of Kretchen's op-ed and the responses from various Canadian political leaders. They highlight the unified front Canada is presenting against Trump's provocations and the importance of international alliances in combating anti-democratic movements.

Key Insights:

• Unified Political Response: All major Canadian parties reject Trump's ideas, showcasing national unity.
• International Implications: The discussion extends to the need for global cooperation to counter similar threats worldwide.
• Economic and Sovereignty Concerns: Emphasis on protecting trade interests and national sovereignty against potential U.S. economic policies.

Notable Host Commentary: "When you connect it with that historical precedent and perspective that I just read for you, Canada is pissed. We're expanding our coverage because the pro-democracy movement is international in scope."

(Timestamp: [16:00])

5. MeidasTouch Network's Expansion to Canada

[01:19] Political Commentator: The hosts announce the expansion of the MeidasTouch Network into Canada, aiming to provide more comprehensive coverage of Canadian politics and support the pro-democracy movement.

Highlights:

• Increased Canadian Coverage: Introduction of more Canadian voices and analysis on the platform.
• Building Alliances: Strengthening ties between Canadian and American audiences to foster a united front against authoritarianism.

Quote: "We're not all MAGA. Less than 50% of voters voted for Donald Trump. There are lots of Americans who regret voting for Donald Trump... we build alliances that can withstand generations."

(Timestamp: [16:30])

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, the hosts reiterate the significance of Jean Kretchen's op-ed and the steadfastness of Canadian leadership in defending national sovereignty. They underscore the importance of unity both within Canada and internationally to resist anti-democratic influences.

Final Remarks: "It's important that we form alliances here that can withstand generations. That's what we're gonna build for the future."

(Timestamp: [16:50])

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to stay informed and engaged through the MeidasTouch Network's expanding platform.

Key Takeaways

• Canada's Defiance: Strong national unity and leadership in response to Trump's antagonistic rhetoric.
• International Collaboration: Emphasis on forming global alliances to support democratic values.
• MeidasTouch's Role: Commitment to providing in-depth coverage and fostering a community resistant to anti-democratic movements.

For those interested in the intersection of international politics and democratic advocacy, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of Canada's strategic stance against external threats and the vital role of unified political action.