On May 9, 2026, former President Barack Obama attended a gala in Toronto for Canada 2020, a progressive think tank, where he met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The event, intended to foster discussions on inclusivity and social progress, included a brief handshake caught on video, which spurred significant backlash from Trump’s supporters.

MAGA allies, including Laura Loomer, expressed outrage, framing the meeting as a political maneuver aimed at subverting President Trump's administration. “This is a coup,” Loomer declared, questioning Obama's motives for meeting with a foreign leader while Trump is in office.

Others echoed similar sentiments, with commenters on social media invoking the Logan Act, a law that prohibits private citizens from conducting unauthorized diplomacy with foreign governments. Conservative commentator Buzz Patterson remarked, “What the hell is Obama up to? More subterfuge? It’s not good for the U.S.”

Obama's interactions with Carney date back to when he was U.S. president and Carney was the Governor of the Bank of Canada. Despite the historical context, the MAGA base reacted with heightened speculation, exacerbated by a year marked by accusations against Obama’s administration of "treasonous" behavior concerning the 2016 election.

The heightened rhetoric reflects ongoing tensions between the former president and Trump, as Trump has consistently propagated the narrative that Obama’s administration colluded to undermine his presidency. In a recent interview, Obama discussed the stress this situation has placed on his personal life, particularly regarding his marriage to former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The relationship between the U.S. and Canada has grown strained due to Trump's policies, including tariffs and trade threats, leading Canada to explore stronger ties with other global partners, such as the European Union.

As reactions continue to unfold, Obama's meeting with Carney serves as a reminder of the charged political climate and the ongoing divisions within American and Canadian politics.