Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire online after photos surfaced of him using plastic cups while attending the Coachella music festival with girlfriend Katy Perry.
Images shared on social media showed the pair enjoying the festival while drinking from red plastic cups, sparking backlash due to Trudeau’s previous stance against single-use plastics during his time in office.
In 2019, Trudeau had pledged to tackle plastic pollution by introducing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, a policy that came into force in December 2022. The ban covered items such as plastic bags, straws, cutlery and certain food-service products, with limited exceptions.
Following the circulation of the images, some social media users criticised Trudeau, accusing him of hypocrisy for appearing to contradict policies he once championed.
One user on X referenced his earlier environmental commitments, suggesting there was a disconnect between his public stance and personal actions.
Trudeau stepped down as Canada’s prime minister in early 2025 and publicly confirmed his relationship with Perry later that year. He had previously separated from his wife in 2023 after 18 years of marriage.
The incident has reignited debate online over public figures’ accountability and consistency, particularly when it comes to environmental advocacy.
