Doug Ford denies being asked to soften 'loser' rhetoric against Trump

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has denied that he was asked to tone down his aggressive remarks directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, despite a significant shift in his rhetoric following a heated exchange. Ford had previously launched a strong verbal assault on Trump, calling him a "loser," the "king of bankruptcies," and a "dictator" in response to trade disputes and personal attacks from the U.S. president.

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I’m not going to take the bait. This guy’s a loser. He’s going to be a loser, simple as that. We’re going to fight with everything we have. And, you know something? I have more courage, more brains in my baby toe than he has in his whole body.

Trade negotiations between Canada and the United States recently collapsed, resulting in the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods. In retaliation, Canada planned significant counter-levies. Following these developments, Trump took to his social media platform to criticize Canadian officials, including Ford, whom he described as "less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive."

In a news conference on Monday, Ford responded fiercely, stating, "This guy's a loser. He's going to be a loser, simple as that. We're going to fight with everything we have." He further claimed to possess more courage and intelligence than Trump. However, by Wednesday, Ford's tone had noticeably softened.

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I had a call, but (Prime Minister Mark Carney) never said that at all. He knows I have his back, the country knows I have their back.

Speaking to reporters, Ford insisted that no one had instructed him to reduce the intensity of his language. He mentioned receiving a call but clarified that Prime Minister Mark Carney did not ask him to change his approach. Ford emphasized his commitment to defending his province and country, stating, "When Donald Trump wants to take the livelihood and try to hurt our country and hurt our province, I have a job for the people of Ontario."

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Does it get heated? When Donald Trump wants to take the livelihood and try to hurt our country and hurt our province, I have a job for the people of Ontario.

Ford also touched upon ongoing discussions with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding trade leverage. While they agree on advancing an oil pipeline project, they differ on using oil exports as a bargaining chip in trade talks with the U.S. Ford believes in a "Team Canada" approach to leverage resources, whereas Smith views cutting off energy exports as potentially harmful to Canadians.

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Not at all, a total opposite, you know? Those words resonated. I usually don’t use those words, but when your country is under attack, and your province is under attack, and this guy is just nothing but a bully, it resonated around the world.