Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blames global 'anti-incumbency movement' on 'political right' and social media

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday that social media and the political right were fueling “culture wars and division” to fuel an “anti-incumbency movement” around the world.

MSNBC host Jen Psaki asked Trudeau about his decision to resign, announced on January 6, and whether it was related to the global trend against current leaders, or to his own low approval ratings.

Trudeau admitted it was “probably part of everything,” but claimed that despite his good work, the influence of social media “still creates a lingering frustration for the incumbent.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed his resignation on MSNBC on Sunday. (Screenshot from MSNBC)

Justin Trudeau's resignation prompted jubilant conservatives online: “The victory continues!”

“I'm relying on all the good things we can do,” Trudeau said. “The policies we're proposing will have an impact in Canada for decades to come. I think right now we're seeing an era in politics where emotion and social media are It plays a huge role in how people feel about things.”

Psaki highlighted criticism that Trudeau's Liberals and U.S. Democrats are “out of touch with the public” and whether there are lessons to be learned from his tenure to counter that perception.

Trudeau urged progressives to continue focusing on the economy and praised Canada's success in ensuring “reduced barriers to participation in the labor market for minorities, women and disadvantaged groups.”

“You could easily turn that into a striking argument that 'you're just working for minorities and women and not taking care of the economy,'” he admitted.

Trudeau spoke to the media outside Ottawa's Rideau House on Monday, January 6. (AP/Adrian Wilder/Canadian Press)

“Well, the political right, and frankly, the ability of social media to ignite this kind of energy can lead to culture wars and divisions that actually can't withstand the harsh reality of the economic growth that we've had. Created in Canada is part of the challenge we face,” Trudeau said.

“That's part of the challenge we're facing right now, where people are largely in a place where affordability, reasonable answers, mid- to long-term policy is not where they want to hear it.”

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He continued, “They want things to be better immediately. And there is a real commitment to making things better immediately, which is sometimes very attractive, even if the ability to do that is not always clear.”

Trudeau said social media promotes negative views of the Canadian economy. (Arlyn McAdorey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Last year, Trudeau's approval ratings began hitting record lows and his party became increasingly critical of high prices and rising inflation.

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