How To Explain The Trump Presidency To Canadian Kids

As someone who grew up in the States (I lived in Florida for 11 years), I’ve been paying a lot of attention to U.S.-Canada relations and the political climate south of the border. Surprisingly, so has my 11-year-old son.

From discussions at school to details about the Trump presidency on the internet, my son was hearing things like “51st state” and “tariffs,” and it made me realize that discussing politics with children, especially today, is really important. And if we don’t provide our Canadian kids with some political education, they’ll seek out the answers on their own (likely from the wrong sources).

Understanding the Trump presidency: A brief overview for parents

The first time he was in the White House, the Trump administration reformed the U.S. tax code, renegotiated trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, China, Japan and South Korea, expanded the military, responded to the opioid crisis, improved access to healthcare for veterans, and lowered the cost of prescription drugs. In 2019, Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and a trial found the President of the United States not guilty. Then, in 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Trump for a second time, and once again, he was found not guilty of the charges.

President Trump won his second re-election campaign in November 2024, making him the only president aside from Grover Cleveland to be elected to serve two non-consecutive terms. He began his second term on January 20, 2025. Since that time, he has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords, started trade wars with Canada and Mexico by proposing tariffs, and threatened the annexation of Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal.

As President, Donald J. Trump wields a lot of power, but there are certain things he cannot do. This includes making laws, declaring war, deciding how federal money will be spent, and choosing Cabinet members or Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval.

What does this mean to Canadian kids?

Given that the US is right next door, the policies made in Washington, DC, have a big impact on Canada. We rely on each other for a lot of goods, meaning there are always questions surrounding trade relations and border security. We are also heavily connected over environmental issues and cultural influence. The Trump presidency has sparked big conversations about democracy, human rights and social justice, all of which are relevant to Canadian values, which is why it's important that parents not only acknowledge this but also discuss these topics with children.

Age-appropriate ways to discuss the Trump presidency

Canadian kids as young as school age may start asking questions of a political nature, and these discussions should be approached from different angles depending on their political education know-how.

For younger children (ages 6-9): Focus on basic concepts of fairness, kindness and respect. Use simple language and stories to explain leadership.

For older children (ages 10-13): Explain the role of the president and discuss specific policies in an age-appropriate manner. This is an opportunity to encourage critical thinking.

For teenagers (ages 14+): Engage in more in-depth discussions about political ideologies, policy debates and the role of media. With this tech-savvy age group, it’s important to encourage research and fact-checking.

“Use age-appropriate terms and language that they understand and are within their developmental levels,” says Georgia Dow, a child psychotherapist in Montreal. “You can’t control everything in life, but let them know the things they can control. Feeling out of control is a leading cause of anxiety disorders, so give them solutions that are within their control," she says.

"Ask them for their opinion. This helps to develop critical problem solving. You need to remember that you are their first foundation of trust. Your job as a parent isn’t to protect them from the world but to prepare them for the world they live in and help them thrive in it,” adds Dow.

“Younger children need to feel reassured,” says Dr. Victoria Talwar, a professor of the Faculty of Education at McGill University. “They need to know that in their family, they’re okay and safe. There’s nothing immediately bad that is happening to them or their family members. They have a home that is still a safe space. This will ease any anxiety.”

Addressing common questions and concerns from kids

As a parent, you want to anticipate common questions that children might have about Trump, fake news and talk of Canada becoming an American state. Listen to your children's concerns and validate their feelings.

“These can become real learning and teaching moments where you can talk about things like how a democracy works, how different nations relate to each other, or how various organizations and branches of government function,” says Talwar. “I have a 13-year-old, and they’re talking about different types of government in school, so it’s an excellent time to connect what’s going on with what he’s learning. I wouldn’t have that conversation with a young child, but for my 13-year-old, this can lead to some interesting discussions.”

Teaching media literacy and critical thinking

Political education is about seeking out reliable, reputable sources of information to stay in the know. Experts say that discussions on things like the Trump presidency can also lead to crucial discussions about media literacy. “This should be a class in school,” Dow says. “Your job as parents is to prepare them for the world. You need to teach them to sift through all that info and find the nuggets of truth. It shows them how to be savvy and how to not get sucked into all the untruths. It will change how they feel and lift their self-esteem.”

While we want to educate ourselves and our children, Talwar recommended limiting constant access to news and current affairs. “Be careful not to have the news on too much,” she says. “We can really overdo the news, especially with young children. News is often bad, and it can really overwhelm children, so just be careful not to oversaturate your environment with that.”

Promoting empathy and understanding

Having honest, open chats about U.S.-Canada relations, President Trump and other political matters helps encourage both empathy and an understanding of different perspectives. Even though family members may disagree with certain policies and decisions, there’s still kindness without judgment. Promote respectful dialogue and discourage name-calling or personal attacks. And help children to learn about different cultures and perspectives through books, movies, and other reputable resources.

“How you say it is almost more important than what you say,” Dow said. “You want to be calm and listen, be affirmative to their thoughts and not dismissive. Then, follow up with them at a later date for a discussion or any other questions. This lets them know that their opinions and thoughts matter and that you are paying attention. It will increase their self-worth and be extremely validating.”

Empowering Canadian kids to be informed citizens

Whether anyone likes it or not, the Trump presidency has an impact on Canadian kids. Use this time to discuss politics with children and expand upon their political education, and take the opportunity to teach valuable lessons about democracy, civic responsibility, critical thinking, and media literacy. By creating a safe and open environment for discussing political issues, you will empower children to be informed and engaged citizens and contribute to a better world. And don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers – you can learn right alongside them!

Experts

• Georgia Dow is a child psychotherapist in Montreal.
• Dr. Victoria Talwar is a professor of the Faculty of Education at McGill University.

Listen to writer Jenn Cox discuss this article with Rob Fai on CKNW