Trump administration accused of hypocrisy over Canadian election interference claims

OTTAWA · The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has released a list of actions it says could constitute Canadian interference in the upcoming American midterm elections. Prime Minister Mark Carney and other officials have rejected the accusations as having no merit. Analysts and a former ambassador have dismissed the claims, pointing to President Donald Trump's own history of endorsing candidates in foreign elections as evidence of hypocrisy. The embassy's "fact sheet" was issued after U.S. officials warned Canada against involvement in the November vote.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, said the situation represents the "pot calling the kettle black." "The truth is that this administration has had a long track record of intervening directly into the elections of official allies," he told CBC News. Since early 2025, Trump has publicly backed presidential or prime ministerial candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia and Japan. He most recently voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a Tuesday election.

Trump also supported former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán's unsuccessful re-election campaign, which featured an appearance by Vice-President JD Vance at a Budapest rally. During Argentina's midterms last year, Trump suggested U.S. financial support would depend on a good result for President Javier Milei's party. "I'm not supposed to be endorsing people," Trump said in February. "As long as it works, it's OK with me." He had earlier boasted about his endorsement record before listing foreign candidates he backed.

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The U.S. Embassy's allegations include Liberal MP Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Democratic friend in a Florida primary. It also cited comments by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on Canada's tariff strategy and referenced an Ontario government advertisement about Ronald Reagan that aired in the U.S. last year. Former U.S. ambassador to Canada James Blanchard said the Trump administration has "no credibility" on the issue. "If this accusation had come from the Reagan administration or the Bush administration or the Obama administration, the Clinton administration, I would take it seriously," Blanchard said. "But I can't from this current administration."

Prime Minister Carney addressed the allegations during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. "There is no merit to these claims, so I'll call it out that way," he told reporters. Carney said he was disappointed that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra saw making such suggestions as part of his role. The embassy compiled its list following warnings from Hoekstra and Trump adviser Peter Navarro. When asked by CBC News if a Canadian endorsement of a U.S. candidate would be interference, the embassy declined to comment.

Drezner characterized most of the cited Canadian actions as normal diplomacy. He said Housefather's canvassing was "slightly unusual" but meetings between officials like Joly and American politicians were "garden variety diplomacy." Joly has denied the interference claims, noting she has met with both Republicans and Democrats recently. The ongoing trade dispute between the two countries has become a political issue in several U.S. border states with competitive races.

In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins said she had secured some exemptions from Trump's tariffs. "I will continue working directly with administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada, our neighbour, ally and largest trading partner," she posted on social media. Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers released a campaign ad this month criticizing the tariffs. "Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now," Rogers says in the ad.

Drezner predicted the White House might blame Canada for any poor Republican results in the midterms. "They're going to blame anyone and everyone. That is the modus operandi of this White House," he said. Trump previously commented on Canadian politics during the 2025 campaign, writing that he would "rather deal with a liberal than a conservative." Nosy Mag reported in October that Canada directed its diplomats to avoid U.S. midterm candidates after the interference allegations surfaced.

Other American politicians have commented on Canadian elections, but Drezner noted a key difference. Former president Barack Obama endorsed Justin Trudeau in 2019 and 2021 after leaving office, and Senator Bernie Sanders backed Jagmeet Singh in 2021. Drezner said the norm is for sitting heads of government not to campaign in foreign elections. "The idea was that surely you can do business with whoever wins and you might have to do business with whichever party wins. So therefore you shouldn't be seen as campaigning overtly for one side or another," he explained. U.S. officials have also shown interest in Canadian domestic issues. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in January that Alberta would be a "natural partner" for the U.S., discussing a potential separation referendum. Republican operatives were reportedly in Alberta earlier this year to assist the separatist campaign, and separatists met with U.S. State Department officials in Washington last year.

With files from CBC News