More than 230,000 Canadians want Musk's citizenship revoked
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 20 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Over 230,000 Canadians have signed a petition urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Elon Musk's citizenship.
The big picture: Tensions between the U.S. and its northern neighbors have peaked under the Trump administration, with the president and others — including his billionaire budget buster — mocking the U.S. ally and questioning its sovereignty.
- "Canada is not a real country," Musk wrote Monday in response to the petition.
- Musk is often outspoken on foreign politics, including in Canada, where he's applauded Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party.
Driving the news: In just five days, the petition, which alleges Musk has become "a member of a foreign government that is attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty," has gained significant traction.
- It also cites allegations that he has "used his wealth and power to influence our elections" and has "engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada" and should therefore lose his dual citizenship and his Canadian passport.
- Musk has Canadian citizenship through his mother, who is from Saskatchewan, according to Canadian media. He attended Canada's Queen's University for two years before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania.
- Musk is also a naturalized U.S. citizen and a South African citizen.
- The petition — sponsored by Charlie Angus, a member of Parliament who has in the past called for Musk to be investigated over potential election interference — needed at least 500 signatures to be certified for presentation to the House of Commons.
What they're saying: Qualia Reed, an author from British Columbia who initiated the petition, wrote in a statement on her website that what "started as a call for accountability has become a national conversation."
- But with that attention, she wrote, she has begun "receiving threats of a disturbing nature."
Reality check: Experts told the Washington Post it's unlikely the petition will succeed in bidding Musk adieu, given Canada's tight laws on revoking citizenship.
- But it serves as yet another signal of the growing cross-border bitterness.
Zoom out: The animosity among U.S. and Canadian leadership and Trump's looming threats of tariffs on Canadian products has spilled over into sporting events and shopping boycotts.
- After Canada bested the U.S. in the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game last week, Trudeau jabbed at Trump's calls to annex Canada as the 51st state, saying, "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game."
- Canadian hockey fans have booed the U.S. national anthem at events.
- And in the wake of Trump's rage- and worry-inducing tariffs on Canada, Trudeau encouraged Canadians to avoid American products.
Go deeper: Canada has a lot to lose
