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New Video Surfaces Showing Trudeau in Blackface, Compounding Scandal New Video Surfaces Showing Trudeau in Blackface, Compounding Scandal
(about 2 hours later)
Revelations that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada has dressed up in brownface and blackface on multiple occasions have rocked his re-election campaign, reinforcing a narrative that has dogged him throughout his political career: that he isn’t really who he portrays himself to be. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada 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.
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 blackface and brownface, in the early 1990s and in 2001.
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. The revelations have rocked Mr. Trudeau’s re-election campaign, reinforcing a narrative that has dogged him throughout his political career: that he isn’t really who he presents himself to be.
One showed him at an “Arabian Nights” party, costumed as Aladdin in brownface makeup and a turban, his arms wrapped around a woman. The picture was taken while Mr. Trudeau was 29 and teaching at a school in Vancouver, British Columbia.
While apologizing for that image at an appearance on Wednesday night, Mr. Trudeau also admitted to dressing up in blackface while performing “Day-O,” the Jamaican folk song, in high school.
On Thursday morning, more damaging material surfaced. Mr. Trudeau’s campaign spokeswoman, Zita Astravas, confirmed that a video posted by GlobalNews, a Canada-based news organization, showed the prime minister in the early 1990s dressed in blackface and an Afro wig. In the video, he is waving his hands around and sticking out his tongue.
And the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation posted another photo from the 2001 “Arabian Nights” party. In it, Mr. Trudeau, again in brownface and wearing a turban, has his arms around two Sikh men.
The new disclosures come only a few months after Mr. Trudeau’s former justice minister and attorney general, an Indigenous woman, accused him of bullying her while pressing her to settle corruption charges against a major Quebec engineering company. When she didn’t comply, she accused him of demoting her.
“Justin Trudeau has carefully crafted an image of what Canadians aspire to: hope, openness to the world and youth,” said Jean-Marc Léger, chief executive of Léger, a leading polling company in Montreal. “The blackface episode shatters that perfect image and casts questions on his authenticity.”“Justin Trudeau has carefully crafted an image of what Canadians aspire to: hope, openness to the world and youth,” said Jean-Marc Léger, chief executive of Léger, a leading polling company in Montreal. “The blackface episode shatters that perfect image and casts questions on his authenticity.”
Nevertheless, he said, Canadians were a “forgiving people” and predicted that Mr. Trudeau, who on Wednesday night apologized repeatedly for behavior that had taken place nearly two decades ago, could still recover. On Thursday morning, Mr. Trudeau’s campaign confirmed that a video posted by GlobalNews, a Canada-based news organization, showed the prime minister in the early 1990s dressed in blackface and an Afro wig, while waving his hands around and sticking out his tongue.
“This is something I shouldn’t have done many years ago,” Mr. Trudeau said on Wednesday. “It was something that I didn’t think was racist at the time, but now I recognize it was something racist to do, and I am deeply sorry.” This came after the disclosure of two photographs taken when he was 29 years old and a teacher at a school in British Columbia, showing him at an “Arabian Nights” party, costumed as Aladdin in brownface makeup and a turban.
On Thursday, Mr. Trudeau said he did not disclose the blackface incident caught on the video because he did not remember the episode, saying that his life of privilege came “with a massive blindspot.” Mr. Trudeau also admitted on Wednesday to dressing up in blackface while performing “Day-O,” the Jamaican folk song, in high school.
“I didn’t want to talk about it with anyone because I’m not that person anymore,” he added. On Thursday, at a campaign appearance in Winnipeg, he said he could not rule out the existence of more examples. “I am wary of, of being definitive about this because the recent pictures that came out I had not remembered,” Mr. Trudeau said.
Nik Nanos, the founder of Nanos Research, an Ottawa polling firm, said that finding a way back, while not impossible, will be very difficult for Mr. Trudeau and his Liberal Party. He was referring to the blackface incident caught on video, which he said he did not recall because his life of privilege came “with a massive blind spot.”
“Darkening your face, regardless of the context of the circumstances, is always unacceptable because of the racist history of blackface,” the prime minister said. “I should have understood that then, and I never should have done it.”
“This is something that I deeply, deeply regret,” he added.
The disclosure of the images come only a few months after Mr. Trudeau’s former justice minister and attorney general, an Indigenous woman, accused him of bullying her while pressing her to settle corruption charges against a major Quebec engineering company. When she didn’t comply, she accused him of demoting her.
Mr. Léger, the polling expert, said Mr. Trudeau could still recover from the dissemination of the images because Canadians were a “forgiving people.”
But Nik Nanos, the founder of Nanos Research, an Ottawa polling firm, said that finding a way back, while not impossible, will be very difficult for Mr. Trudeau and his Liberal Party.
“This is about as bad news as you can get in a campaign,” he said. “The Liberals have to find a way to change the channel.”“This is about as bad news as you can get in a campaign,” he said. “The Liberals have to find a way to change the channel.”
Mr. Nanos said that even before this week’s news, support for the Conservative Party, Mr. Trudeau’s principal opponent, began inching upward after Conservatives ran attack ads suggesting the prime minister was “not as advertised.”Mr. Nanos said that even before this week’s news, support for the Conservative Party, Mr. Trudeau’s principal opponent, began inching upward after Conservatives ran attack ads suggesting the prime minister was “not as advertised.”
“The Justin Trudeau revelation is a validation of the Conservative attack,” Mr. Nanos said.“The Justin Trudeau revelation is a validation of the Conservative attack,” Mr. Nanos said.
”Right now the election is about Justin Trudeau,” Mr. Nanos added. “And in my experience, the person an election is about loses.””Right now the election is about Justin Trudeau,” Mr. Nanos added. “And in my experience, the person an election is about loses.”
Lori Turnbull, a professor of political science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said “Most people, even people who hate Trudeau, are not going to look at this and say ‘Justin Trudeau is an absolute racist,’ ” “But people are going to look at this and ask, ‘Is this a serious person.’ And that’s a bigger problem for him.” Lori Turnbull, a professor of political science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said: “Most people, even people who hate Trudeau, are not going to look at this and say ‘Justin Trudeau is an absolute racist.’ ”
“But people are going to look at this and ask, ‘Is this a serious person.,” she said. “And that’s a bigger problem for him.”
In many ways Mr. Trudeau has a strong hand as the Oct. 21 national election approaches. Canada’s economy is vibrant, with unemployment at historic lows. His move to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees was widely acclaimed and his government introduced several pioneering policies, including legalizing recreational marijuana and assisted dying.In many ways Mr. Trudeau has a strong hand as the Oct. 21 national election approaches. Canada’s economy is vibrant, with unemployment at historic lows. His move to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees was widely acclaimed and his government introduced several pioneering policies, including legalizing recreational marijuana and assisted dying.
Nearly half of his cabinet is women. It also includes four Sikhs and a Somali-born immigration minister, reflecting the multiculturalism and inclusiveness on which Canada prides itself.Nearly half of his cabinet is women. It also includes four Sikhs and a Somali-born immigration minister, reflecting the multiculturalism and inclusiveness on which Canada prides itself.
But in Canada, he is a deeply polarizing figure. Some, especially in the western parts of the country, have long seen him as too showy and sanctimonious, an elitist do-gooder who was never up to the job.But in Canada, he is a deeply polarizing figure. Some, especially in the western parts of the country, have long seen him as too showy and sanctimonious, an elitist do-gooder who was never up to the job.
Others see him as a powerful symbol of a humanistic country who, in the era of President Trump, helped a middle-level country punch above its weight globally.Others see him as a powerful symbol of a humanistic country who, in the era of President Trump, helped a middle-level country punch above its weight globally.
He has been taken to task for seeming inconsistencies in his policies, as well as his in his image. For example, even as he proposed a national carbon tax — following through on his promises to fight climate change — he used $4.5 billion in government money to buy an oil pipeline, which he said would be good for the Canadian economy. He has been taken to task for seeming inconsistencies in his policies, as well as for the image he projects. For example, even as he proposed a national carbon tax — following through on his promises to fight climate change — he used 4.5 billion in Canadian dollars to buy an oil pipeline, which he said would be good for the Canadian economy.
“Everything the prime minister does is a calculation about his image,” said Nicola Di Iorio, who recently stepped down as a Liberal member of parliament of a multicultural district in Montreal. “There are too many gimmicks.” “Everything the prime minister does is a calculation about his image,” said Nicola Di Iorio, who recently stepped down as a Liberal member of parliament for a multicultural district in Montreal. “There are too many gimmicks.”
Mr. Trudeau, a talented campaigner with the fighting spirit of an amateur boxer, is used to being underestimated — and overcoming obstacles. During the last election, in 2015, his Conservative rivals mocked him as a feckless celebrity with nice hair. “Not ready” was their slogan.Mr. Trudeau, a talented campaigner with the fighting spirit of an amateur boxer, is used to being underestimated — and overcoming obstacles. During the last election, in 2015, his Conservative rivals mocked him as a feckless celebrity with nice hair. “Not ready” was their slogan.
He presented himself, though, as a changemaker after a decade of leadership under the dependable but dour Conservative prime minister, Stephen Harper. He went on to give Liberals a stunning victory, expanding the party’s number of seats in the House of Commons from 36 to 184. He presented himself, though, as a change-maker after a decade of leadership under the Conservative prime minister, Stephen Harper. He went on to give Liberals a stunning victory, expanding the party’s number of seats in the House of Commons to 184 from 36.
Mr. Trudeau maintained his popularity for much of his term, even as critics complained that his colorful socks, gravity-defying yoga poses, frequent apologies for historical wrongs and frequent bouts of tears sometimes gave the appearance of an actor playing a prime minister rather than him actually being one. Mr. Trudeau maintained his popularity for much of his term, even as critics complained that his colorful socks, shirtless runs, frequent apologies for historical wrongs and frequent bouts of tears sometimes gave the appearance of an actor playing a prime minister rather than actually being one.
On a disastrous state trip to India last year, he attracted ridicule for wearing, along with his family members, flashy traditional Indian clothing supposedly as a sign of respect for Indian culture. In Canada, though, which has a large immigrant community from India, he was criticized for cultural appropriation and widely mocked. On a disastrous state trip to India last year, he attracted ridicule for wearing, along with his family members, flashy traditional Indian clothing, supposedly as a sign of respect for Indian culture. In Canada, which has a large immigrant community from India, he was criticized for cultural appropriation and widely mocked.
On a visit to the White House in February 2017, he won praise for his success at fending off Mr. Trump’s domineering handshake. Mr. Trudeau’s body language was dubbed on Twitter “the biggest display of dominance in the history of Canada.”On a visit to the White House in February 2017, he won praise for his success at fending off Mr. Trump’s domineering handshake. Mr. Trudeau’s body language was dubbed on Twitter “the biggest display of dominance in the history of Canada.”
The prime minister later acknowledged that he and Gerald Butts, his top political adviser and close friend, had strategized about the handshake on the plane to Washington — an example of how he has used optics to shape his image.The prime minister later acknowledged that he and Gerald Butts, his top political adviser and close friend, had strategized about the handshake on the plane to Washington — an example of how he has used optics to shape his image.
“That handshake — the image of that handshake — if you ask people what they remember of the past four years, that’s something they remember,” said Anna Gainey, the former president of the Liberal party and a major architect of Mr. Trudeau’s political rise.“That handshake — the image of that handshake — if you ask people what they remember of the past four years, that’s something they remember,” said Anna Gainey, the former president of the Liberal party and a major architect of Mr. Trudeau’s political rise.
Ms. Gainey made that comment in an interview before the images of Mr. Trudeau in blackface and brownface emerged this week.Ms. Gainey made that comment in an interview before the images of Mr. Trudeau in blackface and brownface emerged this week.
Now, with just weeks to go before the election, voters may instead remember these new images. They are being replayed over and over again on news channels in Canada, where minority voters increasingly form a large block of the electorate, especially in the vote-rich provinces of Quebec and Ontario.Now, with just weeks to go before the election, voters may instead remember these new images. They are being replayed over and over again on news channels in Canada, where minority voters increasingly form a large block of the electorate, especially in the vote-rich provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
The Conservatives, too, have issues with race and identity in this campaign. Several of the party’s candidates have posted racist, homophobic, anti-French and anti-Muslim comments online — all much more recent than the new images of Mr. Trudeau in blackface and brownface. The Conservatives, too, have issues with race and identity in this campaign. Several of the party’s candidates have posted racist, homophobic, anti-French and anti-Muslim comments online — all much more recent than the pictures of Mr. Trudeau in blackface and brownface.
Over the the weekend, Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservatives, said such people can remain as Conservative candidates provided they take responsibility and apologize. Over the weekend, Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservatives, said such people can remain as Conservative candidates provided they take responsibility and apologize.
“I accept the fact that people can make mistakes in the past and can own up to that and accept that,” Mr. Scheer said “I accept the fact that people can make mistakes in the past and can own up to that and accept that,” Mr. Scheer said.
In February Mr. Trudeau weathered a serious crisis when he faced the accusations of bullying by his justice minister and attorney general, Jody Wilson-Raybould.In February Mr. Trudeau weathered a serious crisis when he faced the accusations of bullying by his justice minister and attorney general, Jody Wilson-Raybould.
He wanted her to allow SNC-Lavalin to resolve corruption charges with a hefty fine rather than a criminal conviction. The prime minister said he was concerned about job losses at the company if it was criminally convicted and lost out on government work.He wanted her to allow SNC-Lavalin to resolve corruption charges with a hefty fine rather than a criminal conviction. The prime minister said he was concerned about job losses at the company if it was criminally convicted and lost out on government work.
But a broad perception emerged that he and his mostly male staff had ganged up on an Indigenous woman, clashing with his image as a self-proclaimed feminist and champion of minorities who promised a new “sunny” and collaborative approach to politics.But a broad perception emerged that he and his mostly male staff had ganged up on an Indigenous woman, clashing with his image as a self-proclaimed feminist and champion of minorities who promised a new “sunny” and collaborative approach to politics.
In August, the federal ethics commissioner found that Mr. Trudeau broke the conflict-of-interest law. His approval rating tumbled to about 30 percent.In August, the federal ethics commissioner found that Mr. Trudeau broke the conflict-of-interest law. His approval rating tumbled to about 30 percent.
Mr. Trudeau’s opponents were not able to capitalize on the episode for very long though. Mr. Scheer did not experience a corresponding rise in his popularity as Mr. Trudeau’s sank.Mr. Trudeau’s opponents were not able to capitalize on the episode for very long though. Mr. Scheer did not experience a corresponding rise in his popularity as Mr. Trudeau’s sank.
Many Canadians are unclear what Mr. Scheer stands for. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the left-leaning NDP party and the first nonwhite contender for prime minister, has also struggled to resonate.Many Canadians are unclear what Mr. Scheer stands for. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the left-leaning NDP party and the first nonwhite contender for prime minister, has also struggled to resonate.
In the summer, Mr. Trudeau and his party began recovering from their tanked approval ratings, and the Liberals have been running neck-and-neck with the Conservatives in polling.In the summer, Mr. Trudeau and his party began recovering from their tanked approval ratings, and the Liberals have been running neck-and-neck with the Conservatives in polling.
Mr. Trudeau’s political fate largely rests on his ability to win over fickle voters in Quebec and Ontario, the two most populous Canadian provinces. Both have large ethnic minority communities whose support has been essential for the Liberal Party, analysts said.Mr. Trudeau’s political fate largely rests on his ability to win over fickle voters in Quebec and Ontario, the two most populous Canadian provinces. Both have large ethnic minority communities whose support has been essential for the Liberal Party, analysts said.
Mr. Trudeau, who has made being pro-immigration a cornerstone of his premiership, faces a particular challenge in Quebec, where a right-leaning party recently came to power vowing to rein in immigration. It has since passed a bill banning teachers, judges and police from wearing religious symbols like headscarves or turbans at work. In majority-French Quebec, Mr. Trudeau’s Francophone roots give him an advantage, while his pro-immigrant stance as prime minister has won over many immigrants.
Mr. Trudeau recently condemned the bill as an affront to his values.
Then there are the young voters. Mr. Trudeau must energize them again, just as he did in the previous election, in particular those under 35, said Ms. Gainey, the former party official.Then there are the young voters. Mr. Trudeau must energize them again, just as he did in the previous election, in particular those under 35, said Ms. Gainey, the former party official.
Shachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute, a nonprofit polling group, said progressive young voters, an important target for Mr. Trudeau’s campaign, are likely to be most offended by the pictures and video. Shachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute, a nonprofit polling group, said progressive young voters, an important target for Mr. Trudeau’s campaign, are likely to be most offended by the new pictures and video.
Still, Mr. Trudeau wins praise as one of the most talented retail politicians of his generation and most effective when under pressure.Still, Mr. Trudeau wins praise as one of the most talented retail politicians of his generation and most effective when under pressure.
In an interview before the latest revelations, Stephen Bronfman, the chief fundraiser for the Liberal Party and a member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families, recalled that at first it was hard to convince the business community to embrace Mr. Trudeau, as they regarded him as a tax-and-spend liberal. In an interview before the latest revelations, Stephen Bronfman, the chief fund-raiser for the Liberal Party and a member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families, recalled that at first it was hard to convince some members of the business community to embrace Mr. Trudeau, whom they regarded as a tax-and-spend liberal.
But Mr. Trudeau’s talent at connecting with an audience had converted many of the skeptics, he said. But Mr. Trudeau’s talent at connecting with an audience converted many of the skeptics, he said.
“I had chills on the back of my neck,” Mr. Bronfman said, recalling a talk Mr. Trudeau gave to a group of business people in Toronto. “It was so pure. You could hear a pin drop.”“I had chills on the back of my neck,” Mr. Bronfman said, recalling a talk Mr. Trudeau gave to a group of business people in Toronto. “It was so pure. You could hear a pin drop.”