During a tense phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian metals, President Donald Trump blamed Canada for burning down the White House during the War of 1812, CNN reported.
CNN’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta said the exchange took place on Wednesday when Trudeau asked Trump how he could justify the tariffs as a national security issue. In response, Trump joked to Trudeau: “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?”
However, as many gleeful Twitter users were quick to point out, the incident in question was actually committed by British troops in 1812, who targeted Washington in retaliation to an American attack on York, Ontario, which was then a British colony.
VoteVets pointed out that visitors learn this piece of historical knowledge during tours to the White House, while students also learn about the War of 1812 in grade school.
They actually tell you it was the British (not Canadians) on White House tours. They also teach it in grade school.
Yet, Trump suggested to @JustinTrudeau that CANADA burned down the White House, during the War of 1812.
https://t.co/NYGtdi7HuH— VoteVets (@votevets) June 6, 2018
Greg Olear, the founding editor of The Weeklings, said Trump’s comments came on the anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops — including Americans and Canadians — invaded Normandy during World War II.
Canada did not torch the White House during the War of 1812.
Canada DID, however, commit many troops to the D-Day mission in WWII.
The only thing Trump should be telling Canada on 6/6 is THANK YOU.
— Greg Olear ?? (@gregolear) June 6, 2018
Activist and author Amy Siskind argued that Trump’s comments were only the latest in the series of factual inaccuracies supported by the Trump administration.
"Didn't you guys burn down the White House?" referring to the War of 1812.
Yes, I recall this too. It was right after the Green Bowl Massacre.
https://t.co/CEcTFIS6v1— Amy Siskind ?️? (@Amy_Siskind) June 6, 2018
Representative Ted Lieu told Trump that Canada should not be considered a national security threat.
Dear @POTUS: Heard you blamed Canada for burning down the White House during the War of 1812 while discussing tariffs with PM Trudeau. Sharing this memo with you, again. pic.twitter.com/vLZgBJtQDt
— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) June 6, 2018
Below are more tweets clowning POTUS for his factual flub:
The War of 1812 is trending proving once again that 2018 is insane.
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 6, 2018
I'm surprised that the Dotard even knew about the War of 1812. Not much though, apparently since he blamed the wrong country…
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) June 6, 2018
Like we always said, this thing is gonna come down to Rudy Giuliani and the War of 1812
— Alex Burns (@alexanderburns) June 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/krassenstein/status/1004439027829784576
CANADA: But why?
TRUMP: War of 1812!
FRANCE: *scrambles to find receipt for Louisiana Purchase*
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) June 6, 2018