Trump's See-Sawing Claims Continue

Monday, March 31, 2025

This week from The Walrus:

Is Canada Treating Trump’s Annexation Threat Seriously Enough?

We can’t cling to the belief things will return to normal

BY MELISSA J. GISMONDI

Someone wearing a mask of Donald Trump poses for a photo in front of a Canadian flag against the fence of the White House.

If the goal is to go back to an unspecified time when America was “great,” US history is rife with examples of the country seizing sovereign territory to benefit its interests. First and foremost, the target was Indigenous lands, seized through violence or sometimes purchased from other foreign powers like Russia or France. The Mexican‐American War from 1846 to 1848 added large parts of the west and southwest to American jurisdiction. Later, the US set its sights on overseas territories with a coup in Hawaii in 1893, the invasion of Puerto Rico, and the acquisition of the Philippines from Spain, to name a few. Even today, the American empire includes a massive collection of overseas military bases.

And so, when Trump talks of wanting to annex a territory, it’s yet another chapter in this devastating tradition.

Read or listen to the story

Pierre Poilievre frowning in a winter coat.

Poilievre Finally Gets the Election He’s Been Dying For. But Is It Too Late?

The “Canada Is Broken” candidate faces a changed national mood

BY MARK BOURRIE

Pierre Poilievre walking past a row of Canadian flags.

Poilievre’s Refusal to Get Security Clearance Raises Questions about His Readiness to Govern

Who seeks to lead a country without knowing the dangers it faces?

BY CARMINE STARNINO

A green circle with a dead, wilted plant in it.

The Withering of the Green Party

Internal divisions and leadership challenges threaten the party’s future. Can this election be different?

BY ARNO KOPECKY

Mark Carney Killed the Carbon Tax. Was It Courage or Cowardice?

When good policy becomes bad politics

BY DAVID MOSCROP

It’s hard to keep track of every bit of trade news as Donald Trump targets a different part of the Canadian economy seemingly every day. This special issue fills in the gaps between the headlines, exploring why Canada’s long‐standing ally is threatening tariffs as well as our nation’s very sovereignty—plus the cascading impacts of these threats. Get your copy now.

Photo of Donald Trump holding his fist up against a white background.

Give Trump the Isolation He Craves

Why the next great democratic coalition shouldn’t include the US

BY JAMES A. HALEY

A side portrait of a man with long hair, a beard, and an earring against a grainy grey background.

How I Went Undercover to Expose America’s Nazis

Accelerationist groups are in overdrive to establish a white ethno‐state. As an FBI special agent, I infiltrated one

BY SCOTT PAYNE WITH MICHELLE SHEPHARD

$A photo illustration showing a piece of glass that has been smashed in. The letters D, E, and I, have been overlaid on top and appear fractured.$

DEI Was Always Flawed, but the Backlash Is Truly Alarming

The right is latching onto the idea of “merit” as a cover for something darker

BY PACINTHE MATTAR

In an illustration, four rows of red poppies are lined up with a large black line through them, corner to corner.

How Casualty Counters Measure Deaths in Gaza

The data detectives recording the true cost of war

BY NORA LORETO

Black and white photo shows an unrecognizable silhouette of person in blurred motion in front of window in a hospital corridor.

I Lived under the Shadow of My Dad’s Cancer. Then the Same Cancer Came for Me

We are vulnerable creatures no matter how much time we spend telling ourselves otherwise

BY CLAIRE CAMERON

Wordle, meet WordroW

Guess the hidden words in under 6 attempts
The tile colours are a clue to where the letters should be
Green means you’ve got it
Yellow means the letter is in the wrong spot
Grey means the letter is not present in this word
Unlike Wordle, the words can be 3‐6 letters long, and sometimes, there are multiple words

Play now

Join us in Toronto or online for The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism, where speakers look at the power of volunteerism to build shared purpose, individual agency, and community cohesion.

Whether you’re looking to expand your professional circle or simply engage with people who challenge and inspire you, The Walrus Talks offer pre‐ and post‐event networking opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere to build new relationships, collaborate on fresh ideas, or even meet potential mentors and business partners.

Join us

Nunavut Turns 25: Land, Language, and Self‐Determination

At 25, Nunavut is still finding its footing—but it has come far since 1999. This episode looks at its past, present, and future. Historian Kenn Harper shares stories from learning Inuktitut and documenting Inuit culture, while Premier P.J. Akeeagok reflects on Nunavut’s journey, including a landmark land transfer advancing self‐determination.

Listen now

In this episode of What Happened Next, host Nathan Whitlock is joined by author Ayelet Tsabari. Ayelet is the author of the short story collection The Best Place on Earth and the memoir The Art of Leaving. Her most recent book is the novel Songs for the Brokenhearted, published by HarperCollins Canada in 2024. Ayelet and Nathan talk about what she calls “the Situation” (i.e., the war in Gaza), about her occasional wish to write something completely unrelated to her identity, and about why she feels a bit “apologetic” (her word) about her next book project, a collection of essays.

Listen now

THE WALRUS THANKS ALL OUR ADVERTISERS. BECOME ONE.

Donald Trump’s presidency is already reshaping Canada, like it or not. The question is whether we understand what’s coming and whether we’re ready to face it. At The Walrus, we’ve been preparing for months. Earlier this year, we looked at how his tariffs would hit our industries, how his protectionism could destabilize our health care system, and how we might need to start looking to Europe for trade. And now? My team is digging into critical issues like climate policy, Trump’s obsession with annexation, and Canada’s national defence strategy, and more.

This kind of journalism is why The Walrus exists—but it takes time and resources. If you believe our moment calls for deep, rigorous, clear‐eyed reporting, then please make a donation today. It’s the one thing you can do to help Canada stay strong, with free‐to‐all reporting needed during times of crisis. Thank you for your support.

Carmine Starnino
Editor‐in‐Chief, The Walrus

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