Michael Bublé took a less-than-subtle jab at U.S. President Donald Trump Sunday night time whereas internet hosting this yr’s Juno Awards, the Canadian equal of the Grammys.
Describing himself as a “hometown kid who never left,” the Canadian crooner didn’t point out Trump by identify in his opening monologue, however nonetheless alluded to the president’s need to annex Canada for the U.S. amid an escalating commerce conflict.
“I’m proud that when they go low, we get high ― we go high. It’s kind of the same thing,” Bublé mentioned. “Bottom line: we love this country. And when you love something, you show up for it, and we always will. We will, because we’re formidable, because we’re fearless, because we don’t just acknowledge our differences, we embrace them. Because they don’t just make us stronger, they make us a hell of lot more interesting.”
“We are the greatest nation on Earth, and we are not for sale,” he added, because the viewers erupted into cheers and applause.
Watch Michael Bublé’s 2025 Juno Awards monologue under.
Bublé was one among a number of Canadian-born artists who struck a patriotic tone with their feedback ― and, in some instances, their wardrobe ― at Sunday’s ceremony, which was held at Rogers Enviornment in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Anne Murray, recognized for grownup up to date hits like “You Needed Me” and “Just Another Woman in Love,” recalled how she resisted gives to relocate to New York or Los Angeles early in her profession whereas accepting a lifetime achievement award.
“Canada is my safe haven. My safety blanket,” she mentioned from the stage, sporting a sequined hockey jersey that featured the phrase “Canada” and a maple leaf on the entrance. “My light at the end of the tunnel — it still is.”
Talking to the Toronto Star backstage, Murray didn’t reference U.S. politics however mentioned of her outfit: “It says it all.”
Cindy Ord by way of Getty Photographs
Vancouver-based rapper bbno$ was considerably extra pointed whereas accepting the Fan Alternative Award with a speech that rapidly went viral on social media.
“Elon Musk is a piece of garbage,” he declared, referring to the Tesla CEO who has turn into one among Trump’s prime advisers.
Since being sworn into workplace in January, Trump has repeatedly accused Canada of getting “ripped off” the U.S. for years whereas insisting the sovereign nation “only works” as a U.S. state.
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“It would be one of the great states anywhere,” Trump mentioned final month. “This would be the most incredible country visually. If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it between Canada and the U.S. just a straight artificial line. Somebody did it a long time ago, many, many decades ago. And it makes no sense.”
Although a lot of Trump’s supporters have been fast to dismiss the president’s feedback as a joke, Canadian officers aren’t laughing.
Talking to reporters in Ottawa final week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned that Canada’s earlier relationship with the U.S., which had been “based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation,” was “over.”
