How Justin Trudeau Captured the Zeitgeist and Lost It Over Time
Trudeau’s rise and fall reflect changing public sentiment and political dynamics
Justin Trudeau, Canada, Youth Vote, Political Scandals, Liberal Party
TORONTO: Remember when Justin Trudeau was the cool prime minister? Back in 2015, he was everywhere—Vogue, Marvel comics, and even on “The Daily Show.” He really connected with young people, and they turned out to vote in droves.
But as time went on, things changed. Experts say that the same charm that got him the youth vote also led to intense scrutiny. His rivals started to mimic his online style, and suddenly, he wasn’t the only one capturing attention.
Albert Burgesson, who was part of Trudeau’s Youth Council, pointed out that while Trudeau got many young folks engaged, they’re now looking for a different leader. It’s like they feel let down after all the hype.
Recently, Trudeau announced he’d step down as prime minister and Liberal leader, which came after a lot of pressure from his own party. He’s going to stick around until they find a new leader, but it’s clear that the winds have shifted.
Back in the day, Trudeau was a breath of fresh air. He made young people feel seen and heard, especially with initiatives like the youth council. But now, the vibe has changed. People are more critical, especially after his infamous trip to India in 2018, where he was mocked for his wardrobe choices.
That trip seemed to mark a turning point. Many started to see him as inauthentic, and the disconnect between his promises and reality became glaringly obvious. He faced scandals, like the SNC-Lavalin affair, which didn’t help his image either.
Even though he managed to stay in power after the 2019 election, it was a minority government. The Liberals couldn’t regain a majority in 2021, and that’s a big shift from the excitement of 2015.
Marland, a political science professor, pointed out how striking it is to compare the image of Trudeau with his gender-balanced cabinet back in 2015 to him standing alone when he announced his resignation. It really shows how far he’s fallen.
So, what happened? It’s a classic case of a brand that didn’t live up to its promises. Trudeau’s image was once a supernova, but now it feels like he’s just another politician trying to navigate a tough landscape.