Pence Insider Trashes Trump
Washington, D.C. — A new international dust-up is unfolding after Canada’s Ontario province aired an ad featuring President Ronald Reagan — and President Trump didn’t mince words in firing back.
Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, said Sunday the entire situation shows just how “upside-down” today’s world has become.
Short questioned the situation during his appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, asking why Ontario felt compelled to air ads featuring Ronald Reagan. He added that it was ironic for a left-leaning Canadian government to celebrate Reagan’s praise of free trade, while an American Republican president was being criticized for standing up for U.S. workers.
A Reagan Ad Sparks a Trump Trade Firestorm
The controversy began when Ontario’s government launched a taxpayer-funded ad quoting President Reagan — using his words to criticize U.S. tariffs under Trump’s America First trade policy.
Trump responded immediately, saying he would slap an additional 10% tariff on Canadian exports if Ontario wanted to play politics with Reagan’s legacy.
“We’ve had decades of presidents who let other nations rip America off,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai. “It’s an upside-down world for people who can’t accept that President Trump finally puts Americans first.”
Canada’s Leaders Defend the Attack Ad
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, a supporter of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, defended the ad on Canada’s CBC network.
“Sometimes you need to throw a rock in a pond to get a splash,” Brown said. “He got a reaction.”
The Ontario government described the campaign as part of its new “advertising initiative” targeting Trump’s tariffs. The ad, featuring Reagan’s pro-trade remarks, was launched in early October and quickly made headlines across both countries.
Trump’s America First Policy Under Fire — Again
Critics claim Trump’s tariffs have strained relationships with allies in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Supporters counter that his policies have revitalized U.S. manufacturing, rebuilt supply chains, and brought jobs back home.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board also weighed in, claiming the Reagan clip was being taken out of context. Trump’s team pushed back, noting that Reagan never faced the kind of global trade manipulation America sees today.
“Reagan believed in free trade among fair partners — not one-sided deals that bleed American jobs,” said one senior Trump adviser.
Conservatives Say Trump Is Standing Up for American Workers
Across conservative media, analysts praised Trump for refusing to let foreign governments use America’s past presidents as political props.
“Trump’s trade policies are about strength, fairness, and national sovereignty,” one commentator said. “He’s not anti-trade — he’s anti-being ripped off.”
Supporters argue that Reagan himself would have applauded a president willing to fight for the American middle class and take a hard line against countries exploiting the system.
Bottom Line
President Trump’s tariff strategy continues to shake up the global order — and this latest “Reagan ad” controversy proves it.
While Canada plays politics with America’s conservative icons, Trump’s allies say the president remains focused on one goal: protecting American jobs, defending U.S. industries, and putting America First — again.
