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Justin Trudeau on Jordan Peterson

Accuses of Russian funding (strong)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made significant, formal statements regarding Jordan Peterson in October 2024 while giving evidence under oath at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. During this testimony, Trudeau asserted that Peterson was being funded by the Russian state-owned media outlet RT.

Trudeau characterized this funding as part of a broader pattern where Russian propaganda amplified destabilizing messages, specifically noting anti-vaccine content during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Freedom Convoy protests. Trudeau grouped Jordan Peterson with Tucker Carlson as right-wing personalities used to push this destabilizing agenda.

Jordan Peterson reacted to Trudeau's unsubstantiated claims by publicly stating he was considering legal action against the Prime Minister. Peterson also responded via social media, jokingly asking where his alleged Russian money was. This exchange frames Trudeau's view of Peterson as an agent potentially influenced by a hostile foreign state, not merely a political or cultural opponent.

Context

The context for Trudeau's statements is the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, established to investigate allegations of interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. Trudeau's testimony, given under oath, lent official weight to the allegations that Jordan Peterson was part of a foreign influence operation.

This positioning contrasts with Peterson's own public views, where he often critiques Trudeau's government, particularly concerning issues like immigration policy, which Peterson viewed as having been 'demolished' by Trudeau.

Timeline

  1. Jordan Peterson reacted to Trudeau's comments regarding the trucker protests, calling the Prime Minister a narcissist.
  2. Justin Trudeau testified under oath, naming Jordan Peterson as someone funded by Russian state media outlet RT to destabilize democracies.
  3. Jordan Peterson responded to Trudeau's testimony, suggesting he was considering legal action against the Prime Minister for the claims.

Key Quotes

We have seen that anti-vaxx messages during the convoy and pandemic were amplified by Russian propaganda, especially in the media of the right. [...] As I've said, we've recently seen that RT is currently funding bloggers and other personalities of the right such as Jordan Peterson - other names that are well-known are Tucker Carlson, as well - in order to amplify messages that are destabilising democracies.

Testimony at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference October 1, 2024 — Justin Trudeau states his belief about Russian funding for Jordan Peterson.

Related Positions

  • Foreign Interference Trudeau's statements on Peterson are directly framed by his government's focus on countering foreign interference, particularly from Russia and China.
  • Freedom Convoy Trudeau cited amplified anti-vaccine messages during the Freedom Convoy as evidence of Russian propaganda involving Peterson.
  • Immigration Policy Jordan Peterson has been a vocal critic of Trudeau's immigration policies, which may contribute to the wider adversarial relationship.

Criticism

Jordan Peterson

Peterson responded to Trudeau's claims by jokingly asking where his money was and stating he was considering legal action against the Prime Minister.

Media Observers

Some reports noted that Trudeau made these specific accusations under oath without providing evidence to the commission at the time.