​PM Mark Carney no doubt has a secret smile. After Trump suffers serious black eye on Tuesday

Trump insisted his name was “not on the ballot” when the Democratic Party candidates were successful in gubernatorial races in the states of Virginia and New Jersey, a surprising and energetic newcomer won the New York City mayoralty, and a proposition proposed by the Democratic governor of California won by huge margin in that state.

As they say in hockey, it was a shut-out.

The U.S. President, fond of commenting overnight on his Truth Social media feed, at first had little to say about his party’s dismal showing but so far has tried to deny his proximity to the voices of the people. 

No tears were shed by Canadians over Trump’s setback, who have been bearing the burden of Trump’s erratic, ever-changing tariff campaign against this country. Trump’s stumble comes as the Carney government has just brought in a tough budget asking Canadians to achieve a long-term restructuring of the country’s economy.

Zohran Mamdani

The biggest victory on Tuesday night was Zohran Mamdani’s win of more than 50 per cent of the vote in the Big Apple mayoralty. Mamdani, an immigrant, a Muslim and a Democratic Socialist. 

A friend of this blog in New York, who we won’t name here, says: “It’s very exciting. Mamdani is a breath of fresh air who moves us forward, encourages us to move beyond self-interest and think about others. Some of what he’s proposing is pie in the sky, but he’s got a ton of support, has energized young people like never before and if anyone can do it, I believe he can. In these very dark times, he’s a beacon of hope.”

It gives a hint to the rest of the recently moribund Democratic Party, that new ideas and new energy are essential in recovering from Kamila Harris’ crushing defeat by Trump late in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Trump setback this week will be a significant help for Prime Minister Carney in resisting the Trump administration’s tariffs and seeking approval in Parliament for his government’s Nov. 4 budget. 

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There is substantial new spending, $89 billion to counter U.S. protectionism, with major increases in military spending and infrastructure funding such as in health, highways, and bridges. It seeks an increased role for the private sector to make investments, for instance substantial tax breaks for spending on manufacturing projects. The Liberal budget is projecting a deficit of $78 billion, big, for sure, but less than had been expected.

Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives were put on their back foot with the decision of Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont to cross the floor to the Liberals. He hinted that others might follow him.
Edmonton Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has resigned, in another blow to party leader Pierre Poilievre.
 
Mr. Jeneroux told The Globe and Mail he is not crossing the floor to the Liberals, but in a statement, did not provide a reason for his resignation.

Thus far, the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois have said they would oppose the budget, and Green Leader Elizabeth May says she will be seeking amendments. The New Democratic Party, which was reduced to seven members in the last election, is still studying the budget. With the addition of d’Entremont, the Carney Liberals would require either more Conservative defections or abstentions by some members to pass the budget.

Adding to Trump’s bad week, is the fact that The U.S. Supreme Court is beginning to consider arguments on whether the Trump use of tariffs is legal. The non-partisan Tax Foundation has found that this year, Trump’s tariffs amount to a tax hike of US $1,200 on every American household. 

Of course, most members of the Court are Trump appointees and the court’s decisions have largely gone in favour of Trump’s way. However, early consideration of the tariffs has not produced warm words from some justices.

“I just don’t understand this argument,” Sonia Sotomayor said yesterday from the bench. “You (the government lawyer) want to say tariffs are not taxes, but that’s exactly what they are.” 

Chief Justice John Roberts also sounded sceptical: “The vehicle is the imposition of taxes on Americans, and that has always been a core power of Congress.” Justice Neil Gorsuch warned of “a one-way ratchet” toward consolidating power in the executive branch.

The ruling of the top court is not required until June, but experts suggest it could come earlier.
Trump has grown used to getting everything his way. He might be wary of the Greek myth of Icarus, the prisoner who sought to escape by manufacturing wings with feathers and wax and flew away. Unfortunately, Icarus flew too close to the sun. The wax melted and he dropped into the sea and drowned.

If recent polls are any sign, Trump’s popularity ratings have been falling fast.

A recent poll found he had an approval rating of 39 per cent, and disapproval rating of 58 per cent, with 4 per cent not sure.
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The real election results in three states, and the largest American city show that Donald Trump has been flying too close to the sun.