Is Premier Danielle Smith a mini Trump?

 

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, is often compared to Donald Trump by both critics and supporters, but the label "mini Trump" is an oversimplification. While Smith has cultivated friendly ties with Trump-supporting U.S. circles and adopted certain rhetorical and political strategies reminiscent of Trump, she has also expressed frustration with some of Trump's policies and rhetoric, and her approach tends to focus on pragmatic provincial interests rather than full ideological alignment.bbc+2​

Similarities Highlighted

• Smith aligns herself with conservative, populist politics and is seen by some as Canada's closest figure to the MAGA movement.nytimes​

• She employs direct and media-centric communication strategies, sometimes courting controversy and fringe groups to broaden her support base, much like Trump.nytimes​

• Smith has been praised by Trump-friendly U.S. media outlets and has had meetings with Trump himself at Mar-a-Lago, leveraging those ties for Alberta's economic benefit, especially in trade and energy policy.calgaryherald+1​

• In interviews with pro-Trump media, she has commented that federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is "in sync" with Trump, although she herself sometimes urges restraint or moderation on contentious U.S. tariff policies.cbc+1​

Key Differences

• Smith is critical of Trump's antagonistic comments about Canada, such as the idea of Alberta as the "51st State," and has publicly pushed back against such rhetoric in defense of Canadian sovereignty.calgary.citynews​

• Her "good cop" diplomatic strategy often contrasts with more confrontational postures taken by other Canadian leaders, suggesting a pragmatic rather than purely ideological method.nytimes​

• Smith has refused to support separatist pushes that might align her too closely with Trump's nationalist agenda, preferring to keep Alberta's interests independent of direct U.S. intervention.politico​

Public Perceptions

• Critics argue that Smith's willingness to engage with Trump and his supporters risks importing divisive U.S.-style politics into Canada, and some regard her as a "mini Trump" because of these associations and her populist rhetoric.calgaryherald+1​

• Supporters defend her as using diplomatic skill to benefit Alberta's trade and economic interests, and they point to her efforts to challenge U.S. tariffs and promote Alberta's resources as pragmatic moves rather than ideological mimicry.bbc+1​

• Media coverage and political opponents have weaponized the "mini Trump" label for electoral and partisan purposes, often conflating Smith's style with her substance in ways that may distort her policy record.calgaryherald​

In summary, Danielle Smith shares some stylistic and strategic traits with Donald Trump, but she is not simply a "mini Trump." Her politics are rooted in Alberta's interests, and while she navigates MAGA-friendly circles and uses populist messaging, she maintains her own agenda and has not fully adopted Trump's confrontational or nationalist worldview.calgary.citynews+2​

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jgx10z8qqo
2. https://calgary.citynews.ca/2025/05/31/alberta-premier-frustrated-trumps-51st-state-comments/
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/world/canada/canada-danielle-smith-trump.html
4. https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/bell-danielle-smith-slams-trump-will-still-called-traitor
5. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-breitbart-poilievre-trump-sync-analysis-1.7493168
6. https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/bell-memo-danielle-smith-stop-talking-trump
7. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/alberta-premier-to-trump-stay-out-of-albertas-separatist-fight-00598068
8. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/carney-trump-love-language-9.6932234
9. https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/01/24/Take-It-Expert-Danielle-Smith-Helping-Trump/
10. https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/saturdays-letters-smith-trump-scapegoated-for-election-delays
11. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-prageru-ben-shapiro-florida-gala-analysis-1.7495432
12. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-alberta-breitbart-pierre-poilievre-canada-1.7491913
13. https://www.nsnews.com/politics/albertas-smith-says-prime-minister-carney-speaking-trumps-love-language-11322059
14. https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-trump-danielle-smith-roundup/
15. https://drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/danielle-smiths-electoral-reforms
16. https://www.facebook.com/groups/436248180001/posts/10170899375175002/
17. https://www.facebook.com/OAGWxOSS/posts/the-outrage-over-danielle-smith-spending-10000-to-meet-trump-is-ridiculoustrudea/1092656582891105/
18. https://www.facebook.com/groups/407886918530422/posts/680948267890951/
19. https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPolitics/comments/1i9sgty/bell_danielle_smith_answers_critics_says_its_time/
20. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/07/23/canada-alberta-danielle-smith-trump-trade-interview-00469078