Trump lashes out at Doug Ford by calling him ‘less intelligent’ than late brother Rob Ford as Canada tariff war escalates

Trump Compares Ontario Premier to Late Brother in Tariff Dispute Statement

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on August 25, 2026, that Ontario Premier Doug Ford is “the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford.” The post came during renewed trade tensions between the United States and Canada over tariff measures.

The statement referenced Rob Ford, who served as Toronto mayor from 2010 to 2014. Rob Ford campaigned against municipal spending practices and maintained high personal popularity in polls during parts of his term. He faced public scrutiny after video surfaced in 2013 showing him using crack cocaine. Toronto city council later transferred some of his powers to the deputy mayor. Rob Ford sought treatment for substance issues and was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor in 2014; he died in March 2016 at age 46.

Trump met Rob Ford in 2012 during discussions about a possible Trump Tower project in Toronto that did not proceed. In a March 2013 post, Trump wrote that he would prefer Rob Ford over then-President Obama in negotiations with Iran. Doug Ford has previously quoted his brother saying his support was strong enough that voters would back him even after extreme misconduct, a line Trump referenced in a January 2016 campaign statement.

The exchange occurred as the United States and Canada continued disputes over tariffs. The U.S. administration has applied or proposed duties on categories of Canadian steel, aluminum, and certain agricultural products. Canadian federal and provincial governments have announced or considered reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods including consumer products, whiskey, and machinery. Bilateral merchandise trade exceeds $700 billion annually, with Ontario accounting for a substantial share of cross-border automotive and manufacturing flows. No specific new tariff percentages or effective dates were detailed in the August 25 statements.

Doug Ford responded at a press conference in Hamilton, Ontario. He described Trump as “the king of bankruptcies” and stated he would not take advice from him. Ford said Trump’s own supporters would express views in upcoming U.S. midterm elections and added that he possessed more courage and intelligence than Trump. In an earlier radio interview, Ford told Trump to “kiss my a**,” repeating the remark at the press event and noting his size provided ample space for the gesture.

Canadian journalists commented on the exchange. CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale observed that multiple prior events had to align for the post to occur. Journalist Jen Gerson wrote that Trump represented a “cut-rate knock off version of Rob Ford.” Jeremy Berke compared both men’s styles as unapologetic toward media and focused on personal charisma over detailed policy knowledge.

The tariff measures have prompted statements from business groups on both sides of the border regarding potential effects on supply chains and employment in affected industries. Ontario officials have indicated they are reviewing options for provincial procurement and trade promotion responses. The federal Canadian government has coordinated with provinces on retaliatory lists while maintaining diplomatic channels with U.S. trade representatives.

Trump’s post and Ford’s reply form part of a series of public statements exchanged since tariff announcements resumed earlier in 2026. Both leaders have previously referenced each other’s records on trade and fiscal matters without resolving the underlying duty disagreements.