Trump reportedly likes sending Justin Trudeau notes, via snail mail
President Trump once sent a note to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that was so odd, the Canadian ambassador had to contact the White House to make sure it was legitimate and not the work of a prankster, Axios reports.
In May 2017, Trump saw an issue of Bloomberg Businessweek with Trudeau's photo on the cover, underneath the headline "The Anti-Trump," four people with knowledge of the matter told Axios. He ripped the cover off, grabbed a silver Sharpie, and scribbled something along the lines of, "Looking good! Hope it's not true!" Thinking this was weird, White House staffers weren't sure if Trump should send the cover, but they relented, thinking it would be received positively. It was sent to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where the ambassador, believing this was the work of anyone but the president of the United States, called the White House for confirmation, Axios reports.
That wasn't the only piece of mail Trudeau received from his unsolicited pen pal, and in one case, he responded. In December 2017, Trump falsely claimed the U.S. had a trade deficit with Canada, and sent Trudeau a document that tried to prove this, a person with knowledge of the matter told Axios. Trudeau mailed a letter back on his official stationery, wishing Trump a lovely holiday season, with a P.S., writing that Trump was "slightly off on the balance of trade with Canada. USTR says so!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trudeau enclosed a printout from the Office of the United States Trade Representative's website, and circled the part that read "U.S. goods and services trade surplus with Canada was $12.5 billion in 2016," Axios reports. Next to it, Trudeau couldn't help but draw a smiley face.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Roman epic Those About to Die has split the critics
Talking Point Sword and sandals miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins puts spectacle above story
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Why is China stockpiling resources?
The Explainer The superpower has been amassing huge reserves of commodities at great cost despite its economic downturn
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published