Continuing their unhealthy obsession with the “bromance” between newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Obama on Friday, all three network morning shows were thrilled by the pair exchanging pleasantries at a White House state dinner Thursday evening.
ABC’s Good Morning America led the way, as fill-in co-host Amy Robach sounded like an adoring fan of the left-wing leader from the north: “The Canadian Prime Minister comes to Washington, charming babies, celebrities, and even Sasha and Malia Obama, as Justin Fever takes over the White House.”
In the report that followed, fellow co-host Lara Spencer couldn’t contain her excitement: “Back now with Justin Fever and we are not talking about the pop star. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a huge hit at the White House....The two world leaders setting the internet ablaze with talk of their so-called bromance, a friendship that was on display at the state dinner overnight.”
On NBC’s Today, correspondent Ron Allen began his fawning coverage: “‘Dreamy’ is a word often heard to describe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a real political rock star. Even President Obama seemed to take notice, saying, ‘It's been a long time since so many Americans have been so excited to see a leader from north of the border.’”
Allen went so far as to recite social media posts that sounded like lover letters to the two liberal politicians: “Now, Mr. Obama and a leader dubbed ‘Canada’s Obama’ seemed locked in a political bromance. On social media, ‘I wish someone would look at me the way that Trudeau looks at Obama.’ The #Trubama emerging.”
He concluded that event was about “Celebrating two leaders who seem to see a lot of themselves in each other.”
On Thursday’s NBC Nightly News, Allen similarly gushed over Trudeau being a “dreamy” “political heartthrob.”
CBS This Morning was somewhat restrained by comparison, though correspondent Margaret Breannan still gleefully proclaimed: “Trudeau was born into Canadian political royalty. His father, Pierre, served as prime minister for nearly 16 years. Justin Trudeau's young family, progressive political agenda, and his meteoric political rise are reminiscent of the Obamas themselves.”
Here are excerpts of the coverage on the three morning shows:
Today
7:17 AM ETRON ALLEN: “Dreamy” is a word often heard to describe Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a real political rock star. Even President Obama seemed to take notice, saying, “It's been a long time since so many Americans have been so excited to see a leader from north of the border.”
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Toast of the Town; Stars Head to White House for State Dinner]
A glamorous evening. The President, the Prime Minister, and their first ladies lighting up the White House.
BARACK OBAMA: To the great alliance between the United States and Canada.
ALLEN: The royal treatment for a 44-year-old premier with a young family who stunned Canada with his victory last fall. Better known as a boxer and drama teacher before politics, the family business. His dad, Pierre Trudeau, one of the nation's most famous leaders. Also honored in his day at the White House.
Now, Mr. Obama and a leader dubbed “Canada’s Obama” seemed locked in a political bromance. On social media, “I wish someone would look at me the way that Trudeau looks at Obama.” The #Trubama emerging.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: The prime minister of Canada.
ALLEN: The leaders eye to eye on serious issues like trade and climate change. And as Trudeau jumped into Campaign 2016, dubbed the anti-Trump, inviting Americans who say they'll flee if Trump wins, to come to Canada.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU: Cape Breton is lovely all times of the year.
ALLEN: But this was a night to put politics aside. On the guest list, famous Canadians. Michael J. Fox, Mike Meyers, Ryan Reynolds, with wife Blake lively. Celebrating two leaders who seem to see a lot of themselves in each other.
(...)
GMA
7:01 AM ET
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Good morning, America. Happy Friday. A little bromance between the President and Canadian prime minister.
AMY ROBACH: There’s a romance going on with America, I think!
LARA SPENCER: Yes, absolutely and Justin Trudeau and Sasha and Malia Obama also attended that event. The President got choked up as he talked about his daughters and how much they've grown up.
7:49 AM ET
SPENCER: Back now with Justin fever and we are not talking about the pop star. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a huge hit at the White House and the other huge stars of last night’s state dinner, Malia and Sasha Obama whose dad got a little more than choked up when he talked about his little girls. From the country that brought us Justin Bieber comes Justin fever.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU: Leave it to a Canadian to reach international fame with a song called Sorry.
SPENCER: The two world leaders setting the internet ablaze with talk of their so-called bromance, a friendship that was on display at the state dinner overnight.
TRUDEAU: We're actually closer than friends. We're more like siblings.
(...)
CBS This Morning
7:17 AM ETGAYLE KING: A star-studded lineup of guests joined the new Canadian leader at a state dinner at the White House last night. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie. Michael J. Fox, Mike Myers, and Ryan Reynolds were among the Canadian celebrities there. And it was the first state dinner for first daughters Malia and Sasha. Margaret Brennan is at the White House, she shows us the grand occasion. Margaret, good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning. Well, the U.S. and Canada trade more than $2 billion every day across their shared border, but it’s been nearly two decades since the U.S. invited the leader of our northern neighbor here to the White House for dinner. And it was quite the celebration.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Celebrating Canada; New PM Trudeau Gets Star Treatment at State Dinner]
BARACK OBAMA: Cheers.
CROWD: Cheers.
BRENNAN: President Obama gave Canada a warm welcome.
OBAMA: This visit’s been a celebration of the values that we share.
BRENNAN: All in honor of new prime minister Justin Trudeau.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU: Thank you for all that you have done these past seven years to preserve this most important relationship. May the special connection between our two countries continue to flourish in the years to come and may my gray hair come in at a much slower rate than yours has.
[LAUGHTER]
BRENNAN: Trudeau was born into Canadian political royalty. His father, Pierre, served as prime minister for nearly 16 years. Justin Trudeau's young family, progressive political agenda, and his meteoric political rise are reminiscent of the Obamas themselves.
(...)
