Cross Apologizes to Canadian Fans, Calls Trump 'an Asshole' at Toronto Show
At Toronto's RBC Amphitheatre, Christopher Cross opened with a song featuring Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech and told the crowd he was embarrassed by the U.S. president. He apologized for recent U.S. actions toward Canada, including tariffs and the renaming of Lake Ontario, and urged fans not to give up on Americans. The singer referenced an upcoming election as a reason for hope.
Cross performed at the same venue where Toto headlined, with the stage sitting directly beside the lake at the center of the recent naming dispute. His opening song, "Dreamers," from 2011, incorporated a recording of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous civil rights speech, which Cross introduced to the audience as representing "a very dark time" recurring in his country.
The concert came amid escalating tensions between the nations, including a 50 percent tariff on $20 billion of Canadian goods and Trump's Saturday social media post featuring an AI-generated video of himself as a goose leading an armed flock toward Toronto's skyline. Several Canadian provinces have responded to U.S. tariffs by banning American liquor sales.
This moment could resonate beyond concertgoers, as celebrity political statements often amplify issues to audiences who might otherwise miss them. Cross's apology may help humanize cross-border frustrations for fans on both sides, potentially softening perceptions during a tense trade dispute. However, such remarks could also deepen partisan divides, with supporters and critics of the administration interpreting the gesture through their own political lenses. The episode may briefly shift public conversation toward the strained relationship, though its lasting impact likely depends on broader diplomatic and economic developments.