Justin Trudeau's appearance at U.S. World Cup match sparks anger

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Social media erupted in anger this weekend after Justin Trudeau was spotted with girlfriend Katy Perry attending Team USA's opening FIFA World Cup match Friday night.

The former prime minister skipped Team Canada's historic first tournament match on home soil, played in Toronto earlier in the day against Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Trudeau watched from a private box as the pop singer performed the Star Spangled Banner during the opening ceremony ahead of the United States' 4-1 victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.

Noted critic Ryan Gerritsen called Trudeau "an absolute hypocrite" on social platform X, and added audio of the former leader speaking out about how Canadians have been hurt by the U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and 51st state comments.

Real estate commentator who goes by the name Shazi Goalie said Trudeau made a poor choice attending the U.S. opener.

"And yes, he was caught on camera jumping up to celebrate an American goal," they wrote. "You really can't make this stuff up."

Over on Reddit, opinions were fierce about Trudeau's choice to attend the matchup south of the border.

"I'm honestly surprised everyone just shrugs this off," one person wrote. "Sure, he's a private citizen, but he's also the ex 10-year prime minister of our country, and like him or hate him, to watch the USA home opener instead of Canada is pretty despicable to me."

Another commenter said it was "emblematic" of his desire to live a more glamourous life in California after his time in Ottawa.

"Picture it this way: the former leader of a country for a decade did not attend the opening game of their former country of leadership, instead attending the opening game of the neighbouring country, whose leadership has 'jokingly' (in heavy quotations) referenced annexation, because your partner is from there and that's where you are (at the moment), all while the tickets to said game are well in excess of what the citizens of your former country could reasonable afford," the person wrote.

"It's a situation (that) reeks of a particular privileged hypocrisy, and one I'm certain Trudeau is well aware of and probably doesn't care because, well, he's living the Hollywood lifestyle now."

A third commenter, from Alberta, said this type of decision shouldn't come as a shock to the average Canadian.

"Justin Trudeau's top priority has always been Justin Trudeau," they wrote, "why would this be a surprise to anyone but the folks who bought into his personality cult?"

Trudeau, 54, stepped down as prime minister in January 2025. He sparked dating rumours after being spotted out with the 41-year-old Perry having dinner in Montreal in July 2025.

They officially confirmed their relationship last December and have not been shy about being seen in the public since.

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