Overview
- Friday night Trudeau was seen at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles with Katy Perry during the U.S. vs Paraguay opening match while Canada played its World Cup opener in Toronto.
- Television clips showed Perry greet Trudeau with a kiss, the couple kissing and drinking in the stands, and Perry wearing a pin that displayed both U.S. and Canadian flags.
- Trudeau posted on X defending his choice by saying "sometimes the duties of a supportive boyfriend call," and he added a Canadian flag emoji to his message.
- The decision drew strong criticism on Canadian social media with some users calling it a betrayal and others urging that he be treated as a private citizen, and follow-up paparazzi photos showed the couple on a relaxed family picnic in Santa Barbara.
- Trudeau resigned as prime minister in March 2025 so he holds no official role, but the episode highlights how former leaders retain symbolic expectations and how those expectations shape media coverage and public reaction.