Prime Minister Mark Carney used a teleprompter malfunction during a Toronto housing announcement to make a veiled jab at Donald Trump, echoing the former president's own teleprompter controversy. The remark came as a 50% U.S. tariff on many Canadian goods is scheduled to start on Aug. 19. Carney was in Toronto to unveil a C$2.7 billion housing package to deliver more than 5,600 rental homes and support roughly 2,100 construction jobs annually, and he framed his response as a defense of Canadian jobs and sovereignty while negotiations continue.
Carney Turns Teleprompter Glitch Into a Veiled Shot at Trump as 50% Tariffs Loom
October 7, 2025, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA: United States President Donald J Trump, center left, alongside US Vice President JD Vance, center right, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center right, and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutn.
During a bilingual housing announcement in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney used a sudden teleprompter malfunction to deliver a pointed, unnamed remark aimed at former U.S. President Donald Trump — a moment that landed days before a sweeping 50% U.S. tariff on many Canadian goods is due to take effect.
What Happened
Carney paused when the teleprompter went dark, told the audience the device had failed, and quipped, 'Unlike a certain world leader, I do not view this as a conspiracy,' drawing laughter before continuing in French. He did not name Trump, but the reference echoed the former president's own allegations of 'sabotage' after a teleprompter and escalator incident at the United Nations last year.
Prime Minister Carney. Image credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Policy Context
Carney had travelled to Toronto to unveil a major housing package with Mayor Olivia Chow. Over the next three years the federal government and the City of Toronto say they will invest more than C$2.7 billion (about US$2 billion) across at least 18 projects to deliver more than 5,600 rental homes, with construction expected to be underway on over 4,500 units before year-end. The program spans market-rate, affordable, supportive and rent-controlled housing.
Funding flows include more than C$310 million from the federal Build Canada Homes program for nine projects on city land, roughly C$530 million in discounted land provided by Toronto, and more than C$1.8 billion in low-cost federal financing for nine additional developments. The portfolio highlights a 100-unit Indigenous-led supportive housing project and two buildings using mass-timber and modular construction, which Ottawa says reduce waste and emissions.
U.S President Donald Trump. Image credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Economic And Political Stakes
Officials estimate the initiative will support about 2,100 construction jobs annually and require Canadian steel and lumber under the government's Buy Canadian rules — a deliberate choice amid escalating trade tensions. Relations between Ottawa and Washington have been strained: the White House ordered a 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods, set to take effect on Aug. 19, citing alleged discriminatory treatment of U.S. products. Since returning to office, Trump has also levied other tariffs, allowed the USMCA pact to lapse in early July, and at times suggested extreme measures such as annexation — proposals Carney has strongly rejected.
At a separate Las Vegas event the same week, Trump described Canada as 'nasty,' comments Carney later downplayed while refocusing on protecting Canadian jobs and businesses as negotiations continue. For now, rhetoric has been the primary weapon; the tariffs due on Aug. 19 would significantly raise the stakes if implemented.
Image credits: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
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