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Donald Trump could blame Canada and its leaders if Republicans lose to Democrats in key battleground states in next week’s midterm elections.
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That’s according to a Canadian report citing a closed-door lunch meeting Tuesday between U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and business leaders at his official Ottawa residence.
CTV News, citing three sources, said Hoekstra discussed U.S. Senate races in Michigan and Maine. He explained to the crowd that if those states vote Democratic next Tuesday, the U.S. president would not be happy and may blame Canada for the losses.
According to the report, the sources were not named as the conversation was off the record.
Broader discussion, embassy says
An embassy spokesperson told the outlet that the comments were “grossly taken out of context” as part of a broader discussion, but didn’t elaborate.
The lunch was organized by the Canadian American Business Council (CABC), who confirmed that the chat was not meant for public consumption.
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“The ambassador spoke very positively about the U.S.-Canada relationship and his hopes that a deal will be reached,” CABC CEO Beth Burke told CTV News. “These comments are being taken out of context and don’t reflect his overall message.”
Last week, the U.S. Embassy published a fact sheet accusing Canadian leaders of meddling in midterm elections.
Trying to influence electorate
The itemized fact sheet included statements made by Industry Minister Melanie Joly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and others suggested Canada is trying to influence the American electorate ahead of the next Tuesday’s vote.
“The Canadian government brushes off concerns about potential interference in U.S. elections, even as its ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics in official documents and public appearances,” embassy officials said.
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Officials also said that as of this year at least 11 Canadians had been charged or sentenced for illegal voting in general elections and primaries held from 2012 to 2024.
“All Canadians should refrain from attempting to participate in or influence U.S. elections in any way,” the fact sheet said. “Americans decide America’s elections.”
‘Keep nose out of American politics’
Two weeks ago, Hoekstra warned Canadians to mind their own business and stop meddling in American political affairs during an appearance on a Canadian podcast.
“Keep your nose out of American politics, four weeks before an election,” Hoekstra said in an episode of The Really Big Show earlier this month.
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“We are closely watching Canadian activities, because it appears that some of this, from our perspective and the way we view our elections, could be inferred to be election interference.”
U.S. public soured on tariffs and Iran war
The Republican Party is expected to lose control of the House of Representatives as the American public has largely soured on Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and Iran war that has spiked oil and gas prices during the first half of his second term in the White House, but are fighting to keep their majority in the Senate.
In Michigan, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is leading Republican rival Mike Rogers 51% to 46% in support from decided voters, according to survey commissioned by NBC affiliate WDIV and Detroit News.
In Maine, longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins is in a tight race with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, separated by just two points in a recent Marist poll.
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