test Friday Focus: Donald Trump's Oval Office tirade and Carney's threat to Israel  - Munk Debates

Friday Focus: Donald Trump’s Oval Office tirade and Carney’s threat to Israel 

May 23, 2025
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Friday Focus: Donald Trump’s Oval Office tirade and Carney’s threat to Israel 

Rudyard and Janice open the show with Donald Trump’s Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, where the US President accused his guest of genocide against white farmers.  Was this an open display of racism in the White House? And why has the public reaction to this been so muted? Rudyard and Janice agree that Trump – right out of an authoritarian playbook – has created a permissive structure that allows for the breakdown of societal norms and civility. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to Canada where Mark Carney released a statement with Keir Starmer and Emanuel Macron criticizing Israel’s withholding humanitarian aid to Gaza and threatening consequences should Israel not change course. Most notable here is that the statement did not align with US policy, showing that Canada is moving away from America and building stronger relationships with European allies. And finally, Janice and Rudyard wonder: How are changing demographics within these countries – Canada, France, and the UK – informing policy towards Israel, Gaza, and Palestinian statehood?

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