A passenger was reportedly removed from a flight for wearing a shirt depicting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in blackface. The incident, shared as an "EXCLUSIVE" by Candice Malcolm, founder of the conservative media outlet True North, quickly garnered attention on social media. Details regarding the specific airline and the exact location of the occurrence were not immediately available.
Airline policies typically empower carriers to refuse transport or remove individuals whose attire is deemed offensive or disruptive to other passengers. Major airlines, including American, Delta, and Spirit, include clauses in their contracts of carriage prohibiting "offensive clothing," though the interpretation of this term can vary and is often at the discretion of airline personnel. Such policies aim to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all travelers.
The imagery on the shirt directly references multiple past incidents involving Justin Trudeau. In 2019, several instances of Trudeau wearing blackface or brownface makeup came to light. One prominent photograph, published by Time magazine, showed him in brownface and a turban at an "Arabian Nights" themed gala in 2001, during his time as a teacher. Trudeau publicly apologized, acknowledging the racist history of such practices and expressing deep regret for his actions.
Further revelations included a video from his high school years where he wore blackface to perform a Jamaican folk song, and another from the early 1990s depicting him in dark makeup. Trudeau admitted he could not recall the precise number of times he had engaged in these acts, stating he had not understood the profound historical implications at the time. These disclosures generated significant public debate and controversy during his re-election campaign.
Candice Malcolm, the source of the tweet, is a notable Canadian journalist and political commentator. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of True North, a digital media organization that provides news and analysis from a conservative viewpoint. Malcolm is recognized for her critical stance on Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Party. The initial social media post did not elaborate on the identity of the passenger or the full circumstances surrounding their removal from the flight.