Trudeau flees, hides as protests enter third day
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gone into hiding after thousands of people converged on Ottowa to protest the government’s vaccine mandate. The protest, which is entering its third straight day, has drawn tens of thousands to Canada’s capital after the 2022 Freedom Convoy gained international attention.
Trudeau fled his home in Rideau Cottage, Ottowa with his family this weekend to an undisclosed location. He announced that he tested positive this morning for COVID-19.
“This morning, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Trudeau wrote in a tweet. “I’m feeling fine – and I’ll continue to work remotely this week while following public health guidelines. Everyone, please get vaccinated and get boosted.”
The prime minister, who originally dismissed the protesters as a “fringe minority”, was met with international ridicule.
“It would appear that the so-called ‘fringe minority’ is actually the government,” tweeted Elon Musk on Sunday. “Protesting in a Canadian winter shows real commitment!”
“Come out of hiding puppet and face the music,” wrote Canadian author and psychologist Jordan Peterson.
“What a complete coward,” said Fox News Host Lisa Boothe. “He won’t even face the citizens he has discriminated against.”
“Is there a more gutless and cowardly display than a tyrant on the run?” asked Republican Rep. Chip Roy (TX).
“What type of leader goes into hiding when the entire country is calling him out,” accused Canadian columnist Dr. Debra Soh.
As of this writing, the #whereistrudeau hashtag is trending on Twitter with many users calling out the embattled leader.
One user pointed out the irony of how Trudeau spoke about the Black Lives Matter protests just last year.
“To look out the windows of my office and see thousand upon thousands of young people, of Canadians of all ages stand in solidarity, wanting to see change happen, I felt it was important for me to be part of that,” gushed Trudeau at the time.
“It's not polite to be absent when people from out of town call in to see you,” tweeted Chris Portelli Hale. “Missing a pair are we?”
Trudeau is expected to hold a press conference from his hideout this morning.
