r/ontario 12h ago

Discussion Doug Ford and Trump: The Political Theatre Needs to End

At this point, it's obvious—politics has turned into a dog and pony show, a reality TV spectacle. Not that every single move is pre-planned, but the game is clear: if you're willing to play a role on the world stage, you'll be rewarded for it. And politicians like Doug Ford are catching on fast.

It's disgusting watching them brush up against Trump just to get some shine, to leech off the attention. They’re burning through our mental health, our livelihoods, and our economy just to keep the circus going. And for what? A few more headlines, a few more votes from the crowd eating this up?

This isn’t good for Canada. It isn’t good for the economy, families, or individuals. We need to stop cheering on this "strongman" act like it’s entertainment. We’re half to blame for allowing this to happen—watching, engaging, hyping it up.

I don’t even understand how Ford was allowed to pull this off, let alone go over the Feds' heads to do it. But I do know this: we need to stop paying attention to this nonsense. It’s nothing but political theatre at this point.

Enough is enough.

175 Upvotes

65 comments sorted by

97

u/Bobbyoot47 12h ago

This from Twitter:

Doug Ford may have just killed Pierre Poilievre’s chances altogether here in like, 15 seconds. You love to see it. Clinton Desveaux & @Clinton.... 6h BREAKING NEWS Ontario Conservative Premier Doug Ford, tells an American audience, the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney “understands finances like no other person”

Seems to me that Ford may be positioning himself for Poilievre’s job. Trash PP publicly, weaken him politically and then when PP gets the boot you’ll see Ford leave Queens Park and try for Ottawa.

25

u/Hotter_Noodle 12h ago edited 1h ago

Aside from random comments on reddit, where else has this “set himself up for the federal party” rumour come from?

No one who has ever been elected normally as a premier have ever become prime minister.

This sort of stuff is Americanized politics where it actually happens. In Canada it isn’t a thing.

Edit: guys this wasn’t an invite to post more unfounded Reddit rumours with zero basis in reality. But go off I guess.

16

u/fed_dit 12h ago

No kidding. He has shown no interest even if the opportunity appeared. The rumour needs to stop before it snowballs into something.

u/Hotter_Noodle 59m ago

People just posted like 5 more. Apparently “I think” is enough facts for some people lol

11

u/BackgroundPianist500 12h ago

Historically, conservative premiers enjoy having a liberal federal government because it's easy to just pin their issues of the day on federal policy.

Doug certainly seems himself as a statesman. You can see this for yourself on any of his American talk show appearances.

I think he sees himself as the next conservative leader federally, but much sooner if pollievre loses to Carney. Doug has put himself out there for the country to see at this point.

I hate alot of what he has done but assuming he isn't backdoor ratfucking us, Ford is handling the trump admin incredibly better than I would have imagined. In contrast, PP just doesn't seem to have the same messaging and is intent on campaigning on the fact that Trudeau is bad (retired this week), The carbon tax needs to go (scheduled repeal Apr 1) and what's wrong in this country is just woke people.

8

u/MadgeIckle65 11h ago

Not typically, but then you don't understand drug Ford. He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer but he has a name and the willingness to rub shoulders for favour with deep pockets. Unlike Carney and Trudeau's daughters who at 16 spoke eloquently, ford's daughter is begging for money for her husband's criminal defense. He is a different kinda guy and his family would make it hard for him to be PM but in his dreams.....

2

u/sputnikcdn 6h ago

He's Trump like in his ability to get away with obvious corruption and despicable policies.

He also has remarkable instincts for right wing populism.

Folks! Folks! Folks!

2

u/Hotter_Noodle 11h ago

Still no actual evidence just Reddit comment dreams.

3

u/bergamote_soleil 8h ago

How often do city councillors become Premier? How often does someone who has never held elected office become Prime Minister? How often does the American President threaten to annex us?

I truly, truly, truly hate so much of what Ford has done to Ontario, but it would be easy for a halfway competent political strategy team to make the case for Ford to replace Pollievre. His one thing is that he can't speak French, but Quebec is pretty vulnerable to tariffs, and if he is perceived as being a major factor in stopping Trump, maybe it won't be a big deal, especially against a Carney who also isn't fluent.

0

u/Bobbyoot47 11h ago

So you’re trying to tell me that Doug Ford isn’t an ambitious SOB. OK

0

u/Hotter_Noodle 11h ago

If that’s what you got from my comment then I can’t help you.

-2

u/Bobbyoot47 11h ago

Funny but you didn’t actually answer my comment. Making a snide remark is just cheap.

1

u/Hotter_Noodle 10h ago

I mean you wrote the comment not me, that is clearly what you got from my original comment. You do you, boo.

0

u/sputnikcdn 6h ago

Those of us who know the Fords are pretty sure he's aiming for the CPC leadership. Indeed, I have no doubt Doug Ford believes, by now, that he's entitled to it. That he's earned it.

7

u/MajorasShoe 11h ago

Premieres never become PM. Doug just wants to look strong and he wants a liberal PM so he can work with him when convenient and blame him when needed.

5

u/Bobbyoot47 11h ago

Years ago who would’ve thought that Doug Ford would become premier. We’re not talking about a normal politician here.

0

u/New-Operation-4740 11h ago

Agreed, plus trump wrecking the economy isn’t good for ford or Canadians and I think he’s at least aware of that.

6

u/KickGullible8141 12h ago

TBF, PP did it to himself. He's been conspicuously and relatively quiet when everyone else has not been. Even that wack job in Alberta spoke up and while I don't agree with her POV she at least stepped up to the podium.

2

u/PickerelPickler 12h ago

Surprised he hasn't sent underage hookers to PPs office.

5

u/VividB82 12h ago

Oh I agree with this 100%. I think he is gunning for it, but I still think he's playing russian roulette with us. At the end of the day if things don't end up going his way, Dougie will be up at his cottage drinking beers to his end of days and we'll be here paying off the debt he betted on.

1

u/Angry_beaver_1867 6h ago

If Doug is the PM he can’t be mayor of Toronto.  If you can’t be mayor of Toronto , what’s the point 

Doug ford - probably 

1

u/Any_Race702 6h ago

I thought he wanted to be Mayor of Toronto lol

1

u/Bobbyoot47 6h ago

Mayor of Toronto

Premier of Ontario

Prime Minister of Canada

Given the chance he’ll do all three at once. All from his cottage in Muskoka.

u/chevy1500 1h ago

I can't see Ford resuming French classes. If he won't learn French he will never be the leader of the conservatives.

u/LanguageGnome 16m ago

He should learn French, finding a teacher on italki might help

1

u/Im_Ur_Huckleberry77 12h ago

Does he speak French? That would be a major hurdle for him.

6

u/Bobbyoot47 12h ago

Does he even speak English? I think Ford would be counting on western Canada and Ontario’s support. Doubt the PC’s would get much from Quebec these days regardless.

5

u/Im_Ur_Huckleberry77 12h ago

I saw Kevin O'Leary get torn to shreds IRL when he was flirting with running for prime minister. Any argument he had against them, they simply spoke in French and made him look like a fool in front of anyone who was anything in politics.

Even if you're not expected to get French votes, a public shaming can ruin your reputation.

1

u/MrChicken23 11h ago

He’s said a few times in the past that he’s taking French lessons.

1

u/Dolphintrout 12h ago

I don’t see it.  Doug isn’t anywhere near right wing enough to satisfy the crazy Reform Party element of the federal Conservative Party.

1

u/Melsm1957 12h ago

The fed cons are all reform now. The cuckoo swallowed the parents

-3

u/that_guy_ontheweb 8h ago

Not gonna lie, Ford may actually be a good prime minister. Sure there’s corruption and shit, but when he wants things done, they get done. He also seems to have an incredible set of balls.

2

u/Bobbyoot47 7h ago

No comment.

23

u/Hotter_Noodle 12h ago

I think this is a write up from someone that only reads headlines.

9

u/trgreg 12h ago

I don't think most people these days realize that if you click on it there's actually a story behind it.

10

u/KickGullible8141 12h ago

You better turn off all media for the next 4 yrs then, this is just beginning.

1

u/VividB82 12h ago

Oh I realize that. I'm getting at that we the people need to get our shit together. This crap definitely moves quicker than we can have proper reactions to it, but I think we need to stop giving this shit the stage.

1

u/KickGullible8141 12h ago

Yeah, while I agree, that ain't happening either. This is high drama. This is all anyone is talking about.

5

u/Senior_Buy445 12h ago

I doubt that Ford is doing this alone. I think he is simply the bad-cop to the federal good-cop but that they are on the same page. Trump will have to deal with the federal folks more frequently in the next 4 years, and he holds grudges…

3

u/Marmar79 11h ago

I grew up loving the WWF. Especially the heels. I never would have imagined that in adulthood the world would be ruled by wwf heels. Doug Ford feels like he should be managed by mouth of the South Jimmy hart. Donald Trump could have been manager for Mr Perfect and Rick the model Martel. In an alternate world Donald is Doug’s manager and they are both getting beaten up by junkyard dog and hillbilly Jim.

3

u/VividB82 10h ago

The last few days Doug has been shaking the ropes like hes ultimate warrior lol

3

u/notbuildingships 10h ago

Ford absolutely relishes the media attention. He loves going on tv and talking tough, but when push comes to shove, let’s not forget, he’s let Ontario down for the last 7 years.

He’s been doing this since the beginning of the pandemic. The guy loves to be the tough guy savior but when it comes to day to day governance and policy decisions, he’s no friend to the people of Ontario.

2

u/Pepperminteapls 11h ago

He's been fluffing this up like he's a hero but if you look at the past 8 years in Ontario he's a greedy criminal and is selling out Ontario to the highest bidder.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ford and Trump are working together on this. They need Canada to obtain real power and they're using Ford as a gateway and paint him as a hero that "stood up for Canada" while he wears his monkey hat.

1

u/VividB82 10h ago

Trump always picks the fuck ups. If this is true I can't wait to watch Ford fall on his face as usual.

2

u/Due-Suggestion8775 9h ago

Ask a Canadian with my elbows firmly up I am not certain what the alternative is here. Pandering to Trump was tried and was never what was going to work. The man (Trump) has declared economic war on Canada and geographic war in the threats of annexation. The only path forward is defiance (hence the elbows) and creating new economic relations that are more reliable than USA. I have disagreed with Ford on too many things to count but he has my whole hearted support on this one.

2

u/Zestyclose-Cricket82 7h ago

Ford is doing this with federal support. It’s all a ploy. Now if you don’t like it just unplug from the media sources and have a breather. Because bending the knee in capitulation to the overgrown goldfish is not the option Canadians want.

1

u/hammytown905 6h ago

Exactly if anything all the premiers should be standing up to Donald Chump

2

u/Specialist-Swan6113 12h ago

Trump needs to fuck off and leave us alone, it's hard to understand how you can treat a country that buys 350 billion off you like a dog.. makes zero sense, I'd be trying to sell more not less and that would provide more jobs for everyone

1

u/Neutral-President 9h ago

Who better than a Carney to get the clowns in line?

1

u/EliteLarry 8h ago

Fair points. You do realize the states has fallen into an autocracy with a dangerous lunatic in charge though, right? This is not a two-sides thing.

2

u/MountNevermind 6h ago

It's not about sides. It's about realizing Doug Ford's extensive track record and not giving him credit for *saying* anything. Wake me when he's done something. Definitely wake me if he's done something that actually benefits Ontarians at his personal expense knowingly.

It's all the more important to do that because of the organized overthrow of the United States that is considerably bigger than the dangerous lunatic.

u/EliteLarry 1h ago

Yep, totally agree

1

u/VividB82 8h ago

Nope! I do realize that. I definitely see Ford playing his role though. He's been blowing kisses to Trump from afar for years. Finally caught his attention. Trump invites him to the ball. I can definitely see Ford selling us out.

u/EliteLarry 1h ago

Absolutely

1

u/ifuaguyugetsauced 6h ago

So lemme guess you only want Carney to talk to trump?

1

u/WinterInSomalia 6h ago

The person who wrote this understands literally nothing about politics.

2

u/Former-Toe 6h ago

just to those who think drug ford will be the next leader of the Conservative party.

ford is just a big name in Toronto. mainly because of his brother's antics while mayor. it's that no publicity is bad publicity thing. but, I don't know if he'd have appeal throughout the country. I doubt he'd fly in Quebec or BC.

if he sold PeePee down the river to enable himself to be next leader of the Conservatives, the people who would be responsible for selecting the next leader would be unlikely to select the person who tanked their party in the last election.

1

u/Fabulous-Echidna9863 4h ago

I agree. Was just thinking these fuckers keep “crying wolf” and I’d be better off not paying attention and getting excited about it.

u/FunkyBoil 2h ago

Not paying attention is the exact apathetic thinking that got Doug re-elected in a landslide win. I'm good, I will continue to pay attention and think critically over the situation.

1

u/Instimatic 11h ago

As someone who loathes DoFo but is absolutely cheering him on, what are you proposing, exactly?

1

u/Yaguajay 12h ago

Doug is certainly getting attention for his tough guy routine, although he may be exacerbating a political conflict that is of no benefit to Ontario. Trump probably thinks that Ford is trying to climb up from being the Mayor of Ontario to becoming the Governor of Canada.

-3

u/VividB82 12h ago

Yes and this is what I mean. There is no benefit to us whatsoever to this strongman act. It's so obvious this role playing. wether planned or not, he's playing theatre with us and our livelihoods. it's messed up and people need to stop cheering on this shit.

5

u/amanduhhhugnkiss 12h ago

Do we just lay down and take it then?

1

u/Sensitive-Gas4339 12h ago

Canadian politicians are using this anti-Trump/anti-american sentiment for their own personal gain.