Is Justin Trudeau guilty of mansplaining or telling a 'bad joke'?

The internet can't decide.

Justin Trudeau sleeves.jpg
Justin Trudeau sleeves.jpg
(Image credit: rex)

The internet can't decide.

It seems that even feminists aren’t immune to mansplaining, with Canadian Prime Minister and all round champion of women’s rights Justin Trudeau recently coming under fire.

During a public event in Alberta, the 46-year-old Prime Minister interrupted a woman complimenting his recognition for female strength.

‘Maternal love is the love that’s going to change the future of mankind,’ the woman announced, before Trudeau corrected her, asking her to use the gender-neutral term ‘peoplekind’ instead.

While his well-meant comments prompted cheers from the room, Trudeau was met by a barrage of criticism after a video of the incident was posted online, with the Toronto Sun accusing him of ‘mansplaining.’

The video went viral, with Twitter users coming out in force to condemn the Prime Minister.

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‘Really disappointed in Justin Trudeau for mansplaining to a young woman at a town hall the other day,’ tweeted @the_connor_ray. ‘Such blatant sexism should not be allowed.’

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‘Nothing screams “I’m a feminist!” louder than Justin Trudeau mansplaining to a lady using the politically incorrect noun with his dismissive jazz hands,’ agreed @Glen_Allan_.

Others rubbished the criticism. ‘It seemed pretty obvious "peoplekind" was a joke, but we did have some fun with it,’ posted @aliamjadrizvi. While @ddale agreed: 'He was lightly ribbing a woman who was rambling about the power of women, "God the Mother," and how the world needs womanly love. Fox excluded her response to him: "There you go, exactly. Yes. Thank you.’

Justin was quick to address the situation, explaining to reporters: ’I made a dumb joke a few days ago that seems to have gone a little viral. It played well in the room and in context. Out of context, it doesn't play so well.’

He then went on to joke: ’It's a little reminder to me that I shouldn't be making jokes even when I think they're funny.’

What do you think?

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.