Trump is often angry but rarely hurt – yet Canada has managed to pull it off | Emma Brockes

Donald Trump's tantrums have become so familiar that they're almost comforting – but what really sets him off? The answer may lie not in the specifics of the issue, but rather in the emotional resonance it carries. Take, for instance, his recent meltdown over a Canadian TV commercial featuring Ronald Reagan.

The ad itself was innocuous enough: an audio clip of Reagan's 1987 radio address on tariffs, set to footage of the American West and industry. But Trump couldn't get past the fact that Reagan's words were being used to critique the very same policies he's championed in recent years. The problem wasn't the message itself, but rather the fact that it came from a figure who Trump sees as an icon of American authority – Ronald Reagan.

For Trump, Reagan represents a bygone era of patriotism and authenticity, one that his own brand of politics can only aspire to. The Ontario ad's juxtaposition of Reagan's words with footage of America's heartland was like a slap in the face to Trump's own vision for this country. It's not just about tariffs or trade policies; it's about identity.

Trump's response was classic: to lash out at Canada, and by extension, his perceived nemesis Reagan. By threatening to raise tariffs to 60% on some Canadian goods, he's putting American consumers and workers at risk – a price that may be worth paying for the satisfaction of defying an icon.

But this latest tantrum speaks to something deeper in Trump's psyche. He's a master of self-delusion, always aware of his own duplicity but unwilling to confront it. When Collins called him "financially embattled thousandaire" all those years ago, he responded with a furious display of bravado – sending the column back with a scrawled message that read "The Face of a Dog!" The image of Reagan in his cowboy shirt and rugged authenticity must have been particularly galling to Trump.

In the end, it's not about tariffs or politics; it's about how Trump feels about himself. And when he gets triggered, watch out – because it's not just a tantrum, but a glimpse into the depths of his own psychological fragility.
 
I'm so over this guy 🤯! It's like he's addicted to drama and can't take criticism without throwing a fit. Newsflash, Donald: just 'cause you're the Prez doesn't mean you get to dictate how others should feel about Reagan – or, in this case, how Canadians should perceive America. The fact that Trump got his undies in a twist over some ad featuring an old video clip from 1987 says a lot about his ego and lack of self-awareness 🙄. I mean, come on, if you're going to get worked up, at least try to be original – not just lash out at Canada like a petulant child 😤. And by the way, what's with all these threats about tariffs? Is he really worried that Canadians will stop buying Canadian goods because... because he's got a bad case of P.T.S.D.? 🤦‍♂️
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one 🤯... I mean, come on, who uses a Reagan ad to get under Trump's skin? 😂 It's like he thinks that by trashing Reagan's legacy, he'll somehow validate his own brand of politics? Newsflash, Donnie: using an American icon as a punching bag ain't gonna fly 🥊. And now he's threatening tariffs on Canada? Like, what's next? Declaring war on our friends to the north? 😬 That's not leadership, that's just petty and childish behavior. I mean, can't we all just get along? 🙄
 
I'm getting really tired of this guy's outbursts 🤯... I mean, who uses Ronald Reagan as some kinda icon to threaten Canada? It's all about him and his ego, right? Trump thinks he's the American version of Reagan, but let's be real, that's not how history works 😂. The fact is, people like Collins aren't afraid to call you out on your flaws – and Trump can't handle it 🙄. His response is just a big show of force, but deep down, I think he's scared 💔...
 
I don't get why Trump is always so sensitive about things that aren't even that deep 🤷‍♂️... I mean, come on, it was just a TV commercial! But seriously, this whole thing with Reagan and the tariffs makes me think that Trump's ego is really fragile 💔. He sees himself as some kind of patriot or icon, but in reality, he's just a guy who's really good at stirring up drama 🎭... And honestly, I don't think it's even about the policies themselves, but more about how they make him feel about his own identity 🤝. It's like, if someone uses an old video of Reagan to critique your whole approach to America, you're gonna freak out 😂... But what's really sad is that Trump can't even handle the fact that he's not as cool or authentic as people think he is 👎. He gets all worked up and starts threatening tariffs... it's just sad 🤕.
 
awww man, trump is just so extra 🤯... like, what even is it for him? can't take a little criticism from reagan's words on tv and just freak out... meanwhile he's all like "i'm america" but really he's just trying to prove something to himself 💔. it's like, dude get a grip, your whole presidency has been about tearing down anyone who disagrees with you, not building anything new 🤦‍♂️. anyway, gotta feel for reagan's legacy being used like this... poor guy deserves better than some tantrum-throwing toddler 🙅‍♂️
 
I'm totally with Trump on this one 🤷‍♂️! I mean, can you blame him for feeling like Reagan is trying to take his spotlight? The guy was already a legend before Trump came along and managed to become a reality TV star 📺. It's only natural that some folks would want a piece of that action. And let's be real, the commercial just seemed kinda... sneaky. Using an iconic American figure like Reagan to make a point about Canadian trade policies? Yeah, I get why Trump got his undies in a twist about it 😒.
 
I gotta say, Trumps reactions are gettin' more and more entertaining 🤣... like a train wreck you can't look away from. But seriously, have you seen that Canadian ad? It's not even about bein' anti-Canada or anythin', it's just a nod to Reagan's old-school values that Trump thinks he embodies. Newsflash, buddy: you're not Reagan 🙄. And what really gets me is how Trump lashes out at anyone who challenges his worldview – like, hello, if you can't take the heat, get outta the kitchen 🔥... or in this case, just be yourself and stop tryin' to project that image of authenticity 🤦‍♂️. It's all about him feelin' insecure and threatened by anyone who dares to question his "America First" nonsense 💁‍♂️. Anyway, I'm here for the train wreck, but also kinda sad for the country 🤕.
 
idk what's more annoying, trumps tantrums or how much ppl are eating that up 🤣 like, canada is literally trying to help usa with tariffs and trade policies dont get him wrong, trump has got some serious issues but come on, be a man about it instead of throwing a hissy fit over a 30 yr old ad 🙄
 
You know what really got me thinking is how we, as a society, are so used to seeing people like Trump lash out on social media and in public - it's become this weird norm for us. But when you strip away all the noise and just look at it, isn't that whole thing kinda... sad? Like, he's still trying to convince himself that his brand of politics is legitimate, but really, he's just mad because nobody likes him 😔

And I think what really bothers me is how easily we can get caught up in the drama and forget about the human being behind it all. Trump isn't just some one-dimensional villain - he's a person with feelings and insecurities. Maybe instead of just mocking his tantrums, we should try to understand where he's coming from 🤔
 
omg u gotta read this lol trumps got major identity issues 🤣 he cant handle ppl likin american values cuz they're not his tho 😂 and its all about him feelin like hes livin in a fake americana 🌄 ronald reagan was like american icon status, but trump sees him as old news 💔 the fact that canada just threw it back at him is just fuel 4 more drama 🔥
 
I'm low-key worried about this guy 🤯. Like, what even is it for him? Is it that some Canadian commercial is calling out his whole 'America First' shtick and how he's not living up to Reagan's legacy? That makes me think Trump's more insecure than we think 😅. And let's be real, threatening 60% tariffs on Canada goods? That's just crazy talk 🤑. The man's got a bunch of problems, from his finances to his ego, and sometimes it feels like he's just stirring up drama for the sake of it 💁‍♂️. What do you guys think is really going through that head of his? 🤔
 
You know what's wild? I was watching this old rerun of Top Gun on YouTube the other day and that scene where Tom Cruise's character does that insane dogfighting sequence still gives me chills 😲. It's just crazy how well they aged. I mean, it's not like a lot of things in life are going to blow your mind like that... unless you're Donald Trump, apparently 🤣. Anyway, back to the ad – what really gets under his skin is that Reagan represents this whole package of American values and authority that Trump feels he can't quite live up to. But, like, isn't that kinda deep-seated insecurity just a recipe for a good ol' fashioned Twitter tantrum? 🤷‍♂️
 
🤯 I mean, can you believe this guy? He's always losing it over something and then suddenly becomes a total sore loser. Like, come on Donald, get over yourself! 😂 The part that really gets me is when he sees Reagan as some kinda hero of American authority – no way, bro, Ronald Reagan was all about being a corporate-friendly Republican who loved the military-industrial complex. It's not like Trump can claim any kind of genuine connection to Reagan or his values.

And what's with this whole "identity" thing? You're just mad because you know your image is totally fake and your policies are a bunch of nonsense. 🤷‍♂️ I mean, seriously, 60% tariffs on Canadian goods? That's not leadership, that's just petty revenge. What really gets me is when he tries to hide behind some kind of "patriotism" or "authenticity" narrative – it's all just a load of BS.

You know what's even crazier than Trump's tantrums? The fact that people still think he's got a shot at being president again. 🤦‍♂️ I mean, dude, you've been exposed for who you are: a self-serving, egomaniacal billionaire with no idea how to lead the country. So go ahead and get all huffy and puffy when someone like Reagan is mentioned – it's just more proof of your own deep-seated insecurity. 😂
 
omg u gotta read this about trump's meltdown over a canadian tv commercial 🤯 like, it's not even about the tariffs or what, it's about how he feels about himself lol he's all emo cuz they used ronald reagan in an ad & he sees reagan as some kinda american icon 🇺🇸 but really it's just trump being sensitive about his own lack of authenticity 🤷‍♂️ like, dude's whole brand is built on being a tough guy who doesn't take crap from anyone, but when it comes down to it, he's all high and mighty 💁‍♂️ meanwhile canadian consumers are gonna get stuck with 60% tariffs & trump's just over here throwing a fit because reagan's words were used against him 🤦‍♂️ it's like, dude, you can't even handle the fact that someone else is using your old man's quotes to critique u 👀
 
😔 I can imagine how frustrating and infuriating it must be to see someone you look up to and admire being used against you like that. It's like their words are being hijacked and twisted to fit your own agenda... 🤯 Trump's reaction is so over-the-top, it's almost like he's trying to prove a point to himself more than anyone else. But what really gets me is that it's not just about the policy or the issue at hand – it's about how he feels about his own identity and legitimacy as a leader... 🤕 It's a sad reminder that sometimes our insecurities and fears can be our biggest weaknesses, and they can lead us to lash out in ways that hurt others... 💔
 
omg this is soooo interesting!! i think its super telling that trump got all worked up over reagan bc hes literally defined by being that 'authentic' americana figure lol like he cant even handle people using his idol against him . and yeah, its about identity for sure - trump sees himself as the true patriot but reagans words just kinda rubbed it in his face
 
🤣👀 [GIF: Donald Trump throwing a tantrum with a red "X" through it]😡💔
Trump's ego is so fragile, he needs to watch reruns of "The Great British Baking Show" just to keep himself calm 😂🍰
When in doubt, blame Canada 🇨🇦 and get your cowboy hat ready for the next drama episode 🤠🚨
 
The recent Donald Trump meltdown over the Canadian TV commercial featuring Ronald Reagan is just another example of his penchant for drama and manufactured outrage 🙄. It's almost as if he's using these public outbursts to distract from his own policy failures and personal scandals.

But what really sets him off, I believe, is the emotional resonance of being critiqued by someone he perceives as a symbol of American authority and authenticity – Reagan. Trump's ego is deeply tied to his self-image as a champion of patriotism and traditional values, and anyone who challenges that narrative is anathema to him.

The fact that Trump is so invested in projecting himself as the embodiment of Reagan's values speaks volumes about his own insecurities and lack of substance as a politician 🤯. It's a classic case of identity politics, where Trump is trying to hijack someone else's legacy to bolster his own flagging credentials. But when it doesn't work out, he lashes out in a desperate attempt to regain the spotlight.

Ultimately, this latest tantrum reveals more about Trump's psychological fragility than any policy issue 🤷‍♂️. He's a master of self-delusion, and when that veil is lifted, we're left staring at a messy, fragmented individual who can't handle the scrutiny of the public eye 👀.
 
🤔 I think what really gets under Trump's skin is that Reagan represents the unapologetic, unwavering American nationalism that Trump claims to share values with - but can't quite replicate in reality 🙄. Trump sees himself as the modern-day embodiment of that patriotism, but when others start invoking the name of Reagan or America's 'golden era', it feels like a slap in the face to his own insecure identity 💔. He's essentially projecting his insecurities onto others and using them as a shield to deflect attention from his own shortcomings 😒.
 
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