“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. The ad was for $75,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT” @realDonaldTrump

Fact-Check Summary

Donald Trump’s post claiming that Canada used a “fraudulent,” “FAKE” advertisement misrepresenting Ronald Reagan’s views on tariffs is not supported by evidence. The Ontario government did create an ad using authentic Reagan quotes, and the $75 million campaign budget is accurate (in CAD). However, fact-checkers found the ad truthfully quotes Reagan’s 1987 anti-tariff remarks, though it omits some context about a specific exception Reagan made regarding Japanese semiconductors. The claim that the ad was designed to interfere with U.S. Supreme Court proceedings and that Reagan “loved tariffs” for national security is unsubstantiated and misrepresents Reagan’s documented trade philosophy.

Belief Alignment Analysis

This post employs hostile, accusatory language and characterizes legitimate political advocacy as “fraudulent,” which is divisive and undermines factual civic discourse. Rather than fostering inclusive discussion, it relies on inflammatory rhetoric that distorts both the intent of the Canadian ad and the historical record of Reagan’s position. The statement about terminating trade negotiations is not based on established democratic processes, but on an exaggerated personal response.

Opinion

While selective quoting in political advertising is common, authenticity and context are critical. Trump’s post overstates the case by calling the ad “fraudulent,” when in fact it relies on genuine Reagan remarks, and fundamentally misrepresents Reagan’s economic philosophy. The post is primarily an exercise in political framing rather than a fact-driven argument.

TLDR

The Canadian ad used Reagan’s real words against tariffs; the $75m budget is accurate. Trump’s claims of fraud and misrepresentation are unsubstantiated, and his statement about Reagan’s tariff preferences is false.

Claim: Canada ran a fraudulent, fake ad misrepresenting Reagan’s stance on tariffs to interfere with the Supreme Court; Reagan loved tariffs; $75m was spent on the ad.

Fact: The ad used authentic Reagan quotes warning against tariffs without proper context but did not alter his meaning; the $75m figure is accurate in CAD; Reagan did not “love” tariffs—he was a free trade advocate with rare exceptions.

Opinion: The post exaggerates and misrepresents both the ad and Reagan’s views, using divisive language and unsupported allegations.

TruthScore: 4

True: A $75m CAD Ontario ad campaign used real Reagan quotes and aired during the World Series.

Hyperbole: Claims the ad was “fraudulent,” “fake,” and designed to interfere with courts, and the assertion about trade negotiations being “terminated.”

Lies: Suggestion that Reagan “loved” tariffs and that the ad fundamentally misrepresented him.