WASHINGTON – If you tune in to late-night talk shows, U.S. comedians are treating Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada as “comedy gold.” Jimmy Kimmel joked on ABC that while he was on vacation, the U.S. president has done “some really dumb stuff.” During his opening monologue, Kimmel told his audience: “We have this inexplicable trade war with Canada right now. Zamboni head (a reference to Trump), who seems to have no problem with Russia and North Korea, has attacked Canada – our friendly neighbour – with 50 per cent tariffs!” The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart was almost apoplectic, ripping up papers and waving his hands in exasperation with the odd F-bomb while discussing the president’s fixation with AI-generated memes. Stewart showed his audience a hockey cartoon Trump shared on Truth Social last weekend, mocking Prime Minister Mark Carney as “governor.” Contrasting both leaders, Stewart showed a video clip of Carney speaking to Canadians, saying: “In the face of unjustified unprovoked tariffs from the United States, we’re stepping up and when we’re united there’s nothing Canadian workers can’t do.” Then Stewart told his audience: “Here’s what we’re getting,” showing a clip of Trump, armed with a sharpie pen, writing “Lake America” over the words “Lake Ontario” on a map. The comedians mocked Trump for what they say is a “self-inflicted conflict,” pointing out that a reliable, dependable neighbour and ally is suddenly the “enemy.” Jelly Roll filled in as guest host for Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week and called the escalating conflict “ridiculous,” listing items like whiskey, smartphones and, yes, even toilet paper, that will get pricier. He joked that that’s because the president “is full of s---!” American business voices, Democratic leaders and select Republicans have all have urged both governments to return to the negotiating table. In a moment of seriousness, The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon told his audience: “It’s all a big distraction because everything is really bad right now, and Trump is worried the Republicans are going to get wiped out in the midterm elections.” Talk about a punchline.
