Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a beloved figure throughout Canada, but he’s had to walk back recent comments about former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Trudeau eulogized Castro in an official statement Saturday, calling him a “remarkable leader” who “made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.”
Critics argue that Castro was a brutal dictator who left his country impoverished. The prime minister’s statement was met with immediate backlash, causing him to defend his remarks.
“I have a personal recollection of the reaction when a long-time political figure of a particular country passes away, however polarizing they may have been for certain people,” Trudeau said at a news conference Sunday, according to the Toronto Sun. The paper speculated that Trudeau was referring to his late father, Pierre Trudeau, who also served as Canada’s prime minister.
The prime minister made the remarks during a trip to Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he was leading the Canadian delegation to the summit of la Francophonie. “Canadians know that I always talk about human rights, including here yesterday, including with Raul Castro two weeks ago and wherever I go around the world,” Trudeau added.
[READ: Prince George refused to high-five Justin Trudeau.]
Further, when asked point-blank if he thought Castro was a dictator, Trudeau responded in the affirmative.
But that didn’t stop the Twitterverse from skewering the international heartthrob. Users spawned the satirical hashtag #TrudeauEulogies and snarked about what he might say about other “controversial” historical figures:
Osama Bin Laden was certainly a controversial figure, but his contribution to airport security is unparalleled. #TrudeauEulogies
— Deplorable Michael (@Beezer1776)
Today we mourn the death of Jeffrey Dahmer, who opened his home to the LGBTQ community and pushed culinary boundaries. #trudeaueulogies pic.twitter.com/aF9W5Stnk5
— Rep. Steven Smith (@RepStevenSmith)
Let us remember Jack the Ripper as a great benefactor who worked tirelessly to get female prostitutes off the streets. #trudeaueulogies
— Natalie Faulk (@NatalieFaulk)
While Hitler & the Nazis could be tough on their enemies, they also showered them with free lodging & train rides #trudeaueulogies
— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie)
“We mourn the passing of Henry VIII. A man who always kept his head, while all around were losing theirs” #TrudeauEulogies
— Gavin John Adams (@gavinjohnadams)
If nothing else can be said for Hannibal Lecter, at least he had great taste in people. #TrudeauEulogies
— Prufrock (@Kansokusha10)
We mourn the death of Vlad the Impaler, who spearheaded initiatives which touched the hearts of millions. #TrudeauEulogies #trudeaueulogy pic.twitter.com/z1pznoHj7P
— Conservosaurus (@conservosaurus)
We mourn the loss of Judas Iscariot. Remember his ambition & business acumen. Nothing got in his way. Not even friends. #TrudeauEulogies
— clakklaa (@clakklaa)
With his innovative urban renewal program, Pol Pot bravely confronted the pressing challenge of overpopulation. #trudeaueulogies
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter)
Today we mourn the loss of Norman Bates, a family man who was truly defined by his devotion to his mother. #trudeaueulogies
— Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan)
Today we remember Pablo Escobar’s advances in spurring youth interest in pharmacology.#TrudeauEulogies
— Chris Magill (@cmagill)
“Today we mourn painter and animal rights activist, Adolf Hitler. His death also highlights the need for suicide awareness”#TrudeauEulogies
— Curtis (@FowlCanuck)
As we mourn Emperor Caligula, let us always remember his steadfast devotion to Senate reform. #trudeaueulogies
— J.J. McCullough (@JJ_McCullough)
Kim Jong il will always be remembered fondly for his leadership and contributions on climate change. #trudeaueulogies pic.twitter.com/aMoAC2vssm
— Albertaardvark (@Albertaardvark)
“Mr. Stalin’s greatest achievement was his eradication of obesity in the Ukraine through innovative agricultural reforms.” #TrudeauEulogies
— Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman)
“While controversial, Darth Vader achieved great heights in space construction & played a formative role in his son’s life” #trudeaueulogies
— Jason Markusoff (@markusoff)
It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Saddam Hussein. His advancements in chemical research live on. #trudeaueulogies
— Mikhail Menuck (@MischaMenuck)
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#TrudeauEulogies Trends After Justin Trudeau Makes Speech About Fidel Castro originally appeared on usnews.com
