Learn From 1.0 to Prepare for 2.0

Thanksgiving Week of Trump Re-runs

This American Thanksgiving week, as I took a breather from work, I turned to the archives and came up with a selection of editorial cartoons that remain as poignant today as when they were first published.

Yes, I’m Canadian and live in Canada, but for nearly three decades, I've joined my in-laws in the great state of Ohio to break bread and immerse myself in their maniacal obsession with college football and chestnuts—fine, I mean Buckeyes. I enjoy teasing my loved ones by referring to our Thanksgiving gathering of turkey, sales, and tailgating as “Practice Christmas,” a playful jab at my wife’s mocking name for Canada’s harvest celebration, which she calls “Practice Thanksgiving.”

All kidding aside, it’s my favourite (favorite?) holiday time of the year, better than Christmas as it comes virtually stress free for me. To top it off, I like visiting the U.S., and I like Americans - I find the country truly fascinating.

While I've celebrated Thanksgiving in Ohio since the 1990s, there was one year I couldn't—during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the science-denying leader was Donald Trump, and in November 2020, the U.S.-Canada border was tightly sealed. It shouldn’t have been necessary to close it so strictly, but the mixed messages from the White House and inconsistent state strategies left Canada with no choice but to use its only leverage against a President who struggled to address the crisis. Talk about family separation! I hold Trump accountable for that decision, and it raises concerns about what the future may hold for Canadians under a leader who has impacted so many lives like no other U.S. President in recent memory.

While history might not repeat, it certainly rhymes, and these reruns underscore just how much—and how little—has changed since they first ran. We are finishing a third full week since Donald Trump made history and became the Grover Cleveland of the 21st century, in becoming President, losing it, then coming back to win a second term as he did in the November 5, 2024 election. Trump has put the transition period into full throttle mode with dizzying cabinet appointments and attention grabbing policy statements. Let’s take a look at the week’s cartoons, their original context, and how they resonate in today’s political landscape.

November 24, 2016

Sunday: “NO CONFLICT” Rolls Royce, November 24, 2016

This cartoon depicted Trump cruising along in a golden Rolls Royce, as he smashed through ethical roadblocks. Back then, questions about Trump’s conflicts of interest dominated headlines. Whether it was his refusal to divest from his businesses or his family’s unprecedented entanglements in governance, Trump made it clear from the outset that traditional ethics were for suckers.

Today, with Trump 2.0 gearing up for a second term, it’s déjà vu all over again. His recent Cabinet picks—focused on loyalty and personal allegiance—show that he’s sticking to his “rules don’t apply” ethos. It's perplexing how the richest man in the world, the commander-in-chief’s bro-in-chief and the odd camaraderie playing out doesn't seem to bother the vast majority of voters or invite widespread comparisons to cultural references of evil masterminds holding the world for ransom. This phenomenon is truly baffling. Eight years later, it’s still Trump’s world, and we’re just trying to survive the ride.

July 22, 2015

Monday: The Hair-Apparent, July 22, 2015

Back in July 2015, few believed Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump could become the leaders they are today. Trudeau’s Liberal Party was lagging in the polls at just 25%, trailing behind the NDP and Conservatives. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign was beginning to poll quite well despite stumbling due to backlash over his comments about John McCain’s military service. Yet, both defied the odds: Trudeau surged to victory in October’s election, while Trump’s bold persona helped him climb to the top of the Republican polls.

A later cartoon in 2016 showed neighbour Justin Trudeau welcoming a freshly elected Donald Trump, attempting to manage their starkly different political ideologies with diplomacy. Trudeau’s public embrace of Trump in 2016 was practical—Canada has always had to navigate its oversized southern neighbour carefully.

Now, in 2024, the roles have flipped dramatically. Trump seems to have stronger support than ever, while Trudeau’s political career appears to be in decline, with dwindling approval ratings making his once-dominant position feel outdated. Interestingly, Trudeau’s unexpected rise back in 2015 offers a sliver of hope for his supporters, even as today’s political climate seems harsher.

Their paths may have diverged, but the parallels between Trudeau and Trump still spark discussion. Both have become symbols—of hope for their following, but also of upheaval, and controversy—etched into the political fabric of their countries.

Full disclosure: the hair thing came up again when Kamala seemed to have all the momentum only a couple of months ago!

November 18, 2016

Tuesday: Packing Bags for Canada, November 18, 2016

This cartoon poked fun at the 2016 rhetoric of disillusioned Democrats packing their bags for Canada. On one side of the border, it showed belongings of undocumented migrants fleeing south; on the other, items supposedly left behind by Americans unhappy with Trump’s win.

Now, in 2024, the refrain is back: “I’m moving to Canada!” Real estate searches are up, immigration websites are flooded, and the fantasy of escape persists. But just like in 2016, the logistical hurdles—money, paperwork, and immigration policies—make the dream impractical for most.

What’s more striking today is the contrast at the southern border, where Trump’s deportation pledges have heightened fears among undocumented communities. For them, migration isn’t a choice—it’s survival. While some Americans toy with leaving for political reasons, others face the gut-wrenching reality of forced removal. The belongings left at borders—real or imagined—remind us that migration, whether voluntary or desperate, is rarely simple. The reality is a surge on Canada’s southern border is going to happen, and the country appears ill prepared to confront it.

November 10, 2016

Wednesday: Agents of Change – Sunny Ways Meets Blazing Trump Sun, November 10, 2016

This cartoon captured Trudeau’s “Sunny Ways” optimism being singed by Trump’s fiery policies. Back then, the cartoon addressed trade disputes, NATO tensions, and environmental clashes as Trudeau tried to maintain Canada’s interests without alienating its most important ally.

Fast forward to 2024, and little that appears has changed. Canada still faces a delicate balancing act with Trump. Whether it’s climate negotiations or trade policies, Trudeau (or his successor) will need to navigate the same unpredictable waters. Tariff, as Trump says, is the most beautiful word in the dictionary, though it’s clear he hasn’t really given any time to its definition and what it really means for U.S. consumers. Canada is about to get whacked somehow through 25% Trump tariffs and Canadians will paying for it big time.The Russian invasion throws in an added wrench, as does the conflict in the middle east. There are This cartoon stands as a timeless reminder of the complex, often thankless, role Canada plays in U.S. relations.

October 10, 2020

Thursday: The Trump Turkey, October 10, 2020

This cartoon, originally for Canadian Thanksgiving in 2020, showed a massive Trump turkey spewing chaos across the border, with Canadians remarking, “It’s not ours.” The sentiment reflects a mix of relief and dread—Trump’s chaos may belong to the U.S., but its impact ripples far beyond its borders.

As Trump gears up for a second term, Canadians might once again take solace in the idea that “it’s not ours.” But the realities of trade, climate policy, and geopolitics mean Canada can’t fully escape the fallout. The Trump turkey, like his presidency, is a feast no one asked for, but everyone gets a taste of.

October 12, 2016

Friday: The Clown and the Elephant, October 12, 2016

This cartoon remains eerily prescient. Trump, depicted as a circus clown with a gun, chases the GOP elephant out of his tent. In 2016, the Republican Party was scrambling to figure out how to coexist with Trump. By 2024, the transformation is complete: the circus tent is now a throne room, and the GOP isn’t fleeing—it’s kneeling.

Trump has reshaped the party in his image, sidelining traditional conservatives like Romney, Cheney, and Bush. The cartoon captures the absurdity and inevitability of this shift, as loyalty and sycophancy become the GOP’s defining features. The clown has taken over, and the audience—whether cheering or jeering—is along for the ride.

A Look Back to Look Forward

These cartoons remind us that the political circus isn’t new and how relevant they remain. Trump’s presidency continues to dominate the narrative, and the themes of chaos, loyalty, and survival are as present today as they were in 2016. As we head into 2025, it’s clear that the tent is still up, the show is still on, and the players—though older—are still playing their parts.

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