Internet reacts to Trump asking if Canada 'burned down the White House'
According to a CNN report, a “testy” phone call recently took place between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump regarding steel and aluminum tariffs implemented on imports coming from Canada.
During the conversation, Trudeau questioned Trump about how he could justify the tariffs as a matter of “national security.” Trump responded with a puzzling— and erroneous —question about Canadian history.
“Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?” Trump asked, referring to the War of 1812.
The thing is, the War of 1812 involved a conflict between the US and Britain. In August 1814, the White House was attacked by the British in response to an American attack on York, Ontario, which is a territory that belonged to England and is now part of modern-day Canada.
But while the President of the United States may be unsure about North American history, many others took the opportunity to quickly (and hilariously) correct the president, as well as add their own thoughts on the whole situation.
At least we know some people paid attention in history class.
I’ve managed to make it this long without finding out why the War of 1812 is trending on Twitter, but I’m going to guess it has something to do with Trump?
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) June 6, 2018
Canada didn’t burn the White House down in the War of 1812.
That was President Trump, on January 20, 2017.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) June 6, 2018
CANADA: But why?
TRUMP: War of 1812!
FRANCE: *scrambles to find receipt for Louisiana Purchase*
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) June 6, 2018
My fellow Americans. Just so we’re all clear on this point:
During the War of 1812, the White House was burned down by British troops, not Canadian troops.
I never thought this would have to be a thing we had to be reminded of, but (gestures at everything) here we are.
— Anna Maltese 🏹 (@MalteseAnna) June 6, 2018
Trudeau pressed Trump on the national security justification for tariffs on Canada.
Trump responded: “didn’t you guys burn down the WH?”
That was Britain during the War of 1812.You guys, I’m beginning to think our President isn’t smart.https://t.co/EahTAIBRgt
— Holly Figueroa O’Reilly 🌊 BWCS (@AynRandPaulRyan) June 6, 2018
#NeverForget Canada attacking America in the War of 1812 pic.twitter.com/9Je4gqCtnI
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) June 6, 2018
If Trump says tariffs on Canada are justified because Britain burned down the White House in the War of 1812, are we gonna tell Mexico we’re still throwing a temper tantrum about the Alamo?
Watch out Merkel. We’re coming for you next because the French & Indian War. 🤷♀️
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) June 6, 2018
I’m surprised that the Dotard even knew about the War of 1812. Not much though, apparently since he blamed the wrong country…
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) June 6, 2018
On the bright side, MAGA will now know what year the War of 1812 started.
— Marie Connor (@thistallawkgirl) June 6, 2018
BREAKING: While on a heated phone call with Justin Trudeau discussing tariffs, Trump blamed the Canadians for burning down the White House in the War of 1812.
It was actually the British.
Really.
— Travis Allen 🌊 (@TravisAllen02) June 6, 2018
WHAT ELSE DID YOUR SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER SAY ABOUT THE WAR OF 1812 pic.twitter.com/cR1yfIeAcw
— Jack Burton (@drknstormynite) June 6, 2018
As we speak some young Republican researcher is Googling frantically to see if any British-Canadian units did in fact participate in the War of 1812.
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) June 6, 2018
Trump has done more to burn down the White House than any British army during the War of 1812. The White House is a symbol of America’s power, prestige, and accountability. A President who changes history at his whim for a dumb trade war with Canada is a national embarrassment.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 6, 2018
Trump is doing a better job of burning down the White House than the British army did in the War of 1812.
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) June 6, 2018
The War of 1812 is trending proving once again that 2018 is insane.
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 6, 2018
A government report yesterday found that Medicare will run out of money within 8 years – but we’re going to have an entire news cycle debating the War of 1812, arent we?
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) June 6, 2018
Yes, it’s stupid that trump told Justin Trudeau (hey boo hey) that Canada burned down the White House during the War of 1812. It was the Brits.
But look on the bright side: At least he knows what the War of 1812 is and that during it, someone burnt down something. pic.twitter.com/A2VwCvTFB3
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) June 6, 2018
me: jeebus, Trump sure is ignorant
deplorable: YOU LOST, GET OVER IT
me: sure, just as soon as Trump gets over the War of 1812— Jeff Tiedrich (@jefftiedrich) June 6, 2018
Yo, @realDonaldTrump:
Canada became a country in 1867.
The War of 1812 was in … 1812.
— Michi (@cbn2) June 6, 2018
Trump using the War of 1812 to justify tariffs on Canada is like the time I used the 1536 beheading of Anne Boleyn to justify ditching my wife to go golfing with the guys pic.twitter.com/NLFddJB762
— Santa Claus, CEO 🎅🏻 (@SantaInc) June 6, 2018
Why is “War of 1812” trending?
*clicks link* pic.twitter.com/mlfn7NyzAi
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) June 6, 2018
Shout out to all the War of 1812 academics whose phones are finally buzzing nonstop today.
— Tom Power (@tompowercbc) June 6, 2018
With files from Simran Singh
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